How To Go Swimming Safely During COVID

Indoor swimming pools have now been allowed to reopen in England for the first time since the coronavirus began. Pools have been given the go-ahead from the government as they try to get the nation back on track for the ‘new normal’.

But whether it’s your local public swimming pool, or you’ve opted for a luxurious staycation with its own pool, you won’t be able to use them as you did before the pandemic.

Here are the new rules about swimming in communal indoor pools that you need to know.

New guidance has been released by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and Swim England called ‘COVID-19: Returning to the pool’ to help people get back to swimming as fatly as possible.

The first and most important point is that if you are showing any symptoms of the coronavirus, such as high temperature, cough, for loss of taste and/or smell, then you shouldn’t go swimming, and should self-isolate.

Showers will not necessarily be closed at pools, but the guidance requests that patrons arrive at the pool ‘ready to swim’, and should shower at home before and after swimming.

You should still practise social distancing between yourself and other swimmers, and avoid using ‘wide strokes’ if the pool gets busy.

Pick the lane - there should be fast, medium, and slow lanes - you wish to swim in that’s appropriate for your speed and do not overtake anyone. If you wish to go faster or slower, then consider moving lanes.

The guidance also requests that people bring their own equipment, such as floating aids and hand sanitiser.

Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have yet to set a date for reopening of their public pools.

If you need swimming pool maintenance in Cheshire for your pool, talk to us today.