family swimming

How Safe Is It to Swim in Public Pools Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic?

Under normal conditions, most of us would pay a little concern when jumping into a public pool. However, things this year have taken a 360-degree turn since most of us have our minds hard-pressed mostly on health and wellness concerns, particularly in not getting infected with the novel coronavirus.  

But when the sweltering heat sets in, and taking a quick dip in a pool of water the only thing you can think of, what will likely hold us back here is our safety not to get infected by the novel coronavirus. Amid the current pandemic, is it safe for us to visit a community pool for a swim? Or should we just dismiss the whole idea for our good and safety? 

Here is a bit of good news coming from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the U.S.

From their official statement, they said that there is no substantial evidence to support the impression and fear of many that the COVID-19 can be spread to people frequenting recreational waters. 

High-risk areas for this would include the natural bodies of water such as oceans, lakes, and rivers, most especially if they are frequented by local and foreign tourists. Add to this also are the recreational pools that are using spa shop Sydney together with community water parks and resort facilities.  

But this does not mean to say that if the recreational water facility itself is not qualified by the CDC as a matter of concern, the activity that people are going to have in and around the water is going to pose a health risk to everyone at this time of the pandemic.

Observe Social Distancing Even When You’re in the Pool

Disinfectant solutions used in swimming pools like bromine and chlorine can only do so much for you while you are in the pool water. According to health experts, the main thing to be concerned about in public or community recreational pools is the transmission of the coronavirus, not by water or any other means but from person to person transmission. 

By now, most of us know that the coronavirus can be spread easily through aerosol droplets. Just because you are in the water, that does not mean to say that the virus will have a hard time getting on to you. Even when you are in the water, you still need to observe social distancing. Therefore, you are not exempted from observing the six-foot rule distancing between yourself and the person next to you. 

family swimming

Wear Your Facemask Even in the Pool

Besides observing social distancing even when you are in the pool water, we are still going to encourage you to wear your face mask even when you are out of the water. 

The pool water is not likely a good medium to transmit the novel coronavirus among people due to the chemical disinfectants used to maintain it, but when you are out of the water things are pretty normal again — which means the risk of getting contaminated with the virus is there. It is as if just waiting for the right time and opportunity to infect you.

So, make sure that you have your face mask on when you step out of the water. 

Avoid Crowding

Even when there is good hope for us to hold summer pool fun parties, they would look very different from the ones that we are used to having before the pandemic happened. Instead of having a jam-packed pool party, there is a need to dramatically reduce the capacity of any venue.  

If you used to host a pool party before, attended by saying a thousand or so people, now in the light of the COVID-19 scare, the number of people who will be allowed to grace your occasion will be capped. We reckon that you can now hold a pool party from 1,000, you need to downsize that to 250 to 400 people only

Take Extreme Caution and Care When Using Shared Water Park Facilities

It is a common practice in recreational water parks to offer common areas shared by their patrons. Touchpoints such as the shower handrails, locker cabinets, picnic tables, lounge chairs, and public restrooms — all these are points of concern since the coronavirus lives on surfaces (although touching contaminated surfaces may not cause it to spread even further.  

As of this writing, major establishments that offer recreational pools with spa shop Sydney such as water parks and hotels, are now taking bold steps to adapt to new cleaning protocols. Such measures will help them in tackling the issues with regard to common surfaces.