During these days of the COVID-19 outbreak, we get lots of questions from our members and families around us about the relationship between swimming and coronavirus. How to stay safe but, at the same time, continue a healthy life? Should we swim in public pools? Should we take our children to swimming pools?
Here at Aquastream, we all are family: our members, staff, guests and we want to keep everybody safe during this highly risky period of COVID-19 spreading. We have already announced the closure of our facilities till April 5, 2020, to help to slow down the outbreak of the virus in our community.
Spring sessions will be held from April 6, 2020, to July 12, 2020. We will offer makeup classes to our students, who cannot participate during July sessions.
Here Is What You Need To Consider Before Making A Decision
Swimming and coronavirus do not have a direct relation. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is “no evidence that COVID-19 can be spread to humans through the use of pools and hot tubs.”
According to the same organization, if swimming waters and pools are disinfected frequently by using chemicals like chlorine and bromine, the coronavirus is neutralized or removed; thus, it does not represent a risk for a swimmer. Here at Aquastream, we continuously monitor, clean and sanitize our pools and facilities.
Does It Mean That The Risk Is Eliminated And We Can Swim In Public Pools? – Actually, Not.
The risk is high; although the swimming and coronavirus have nothing in common, the people who use pools are also using facilities, and there is evidence that COVID-19 can be transmitted through surfaces with the virus on them. So, the person who is in contact with facilities carries a risk of getting sick.
Public swimming facilities carry the same level of risk for people as any other public space; when we swim in a public pool, we have a chance of being in contact or close distance (6 feet or less) with an infected person. CDCP says this virus spread mainly from person to person through respiratory droplets if the infected person coughs or sneezes.
Swimming and coronavirus in conclusion:
We advise you to be extra cautious during these days and avoid taking your children to open public pools. If you want to use private pools, contact the management to get extra information and instructions.
If you or your child is sick, have flu symptoms, try to stay home, and, if needed, talk to your health practitioner.
Follow the general rules regarding social distancing and sanitization in public spaces; don’t communicate with sick people in close distance, don’t touch your face, nose, eyes with unwashed hands, stay home whenever possible.
Wash your hands at least for 20 seconds with soap and water at all times you have been in public space and, if not, use at least 60% alcohol-containing sanitizers.
If you stay at home, try to exercise daily and keep an active life by taking walks in nature, not in crowded areas.
Stay safe and help your community to stay safe.