England has been urged to “get its trainers on” and comply with medical advice on exercise, with the prime minister joining a series of English sports stars in cajoling the country to get back to sporting activity following a shutdown of grassroots facilities that has lasted for more than three months. From Monday, as part of stage 1 in the government’s reopening plan, outdoor sports facilities including football pitches, tennis courts and outdoor swimming pools, as well as golf courses and sailing clubs, are allowed to reopen. Organised team sports at all levels are also to resume. The government wants to use the moment to spark an increase in exercise, amid concerns over the health of the nation following a stark drop in physical activity during the Covid crisis and a year of intermittent lockdown. The culture secretary, Oliver Dowden, has laid out the levels of activity recommended by the chief medical officer. “The long wait is over,” he said. “I urge everyone to get their trainers on, get outside and enjoy all of the positive benefits sport can bring. We want to see children be active 60 minutes a day, and adults two and a half hours a week to help us build back fitter, healthier and happier from this pandemic.” Dowden was joined by the prime minister, who forecast a “Great British summer of sport” ahead, though he also warned “we must be cautious” because of a rising number of cases in Europe and “new variants threatening our vaccine rollout”. A series of sports stars also added their encouragement. Johanna Konta, the British No 1 women’s tennis player, said people should try out tennis as “a great sport for anyone looking to get active outdoors after lockdown at a safe, social distance”. Eoin Morgan, England’s World Cup-winning cricket captain, said: “I know how lucky I’ve been as a sportsperson to have been able to continue to [play] during the ongoing pandemic while so many others have been unable to. “I know that so many people, and especially children, have missed out on … vitally important things because of the pandemic so I’m delighted to endorse the return to play campaign.” DJ Locksmith from the pop band Rudimental also declared his passion for golf: “I’m going to be honest with you, I’m not that great at golf. But with that said, I love playing it. And I love getting out there with family and friends with all the bants and the laughs that come with it.” The government has extended substantial funding in grants and loans to professional sport during the pandemic. As part of that funding there has been an understanding with governing bodies that the money should help facilitate public participation too. At the grassroots level the government has also allocated £100m in financial support to the leisure sector during the pandemic and this month announced it would give £25m to the Football Association to support public pitches. Last week the leisure industry body ukactive criticised the government for not doing more to help the sector and grassroots campaigners have consistently declared their fears that the sector will struggle to fully function after the pandemic due to a loss of revenue and volunteers. There is also great concern over the ability to persuade people, particularly children, who were reluctant to exercise even before the pandemic to come back to sport.