Is it safe to go swimming in a public pool during Covid-19 Pandemic?


Off course it is refreshing to go to the swimming pool, whether is just taking a dip, swim laps, recreation, or maybe even taking swimming lessons.  But with this new COVID-19 pandemic many are asking is it safe to go swimming?  

 

Questions have been flooding like Can you still swim during the conronavirus?, is swimming in a public pool safe during covid-19?, is covid-19 a risk for public swimming pools?,  or will swimming pools open during covid-19?   

As you know, the now pandemic COVID-19 has recently turned the world upside down.  We are all trying to cope with the many limitations and/or restrictions now imposed within our daily lives and activities, in order to help prevent spread the virus, such as washing your hands, social distancing and more importantly staying home.

We should all be taking measures to reduce social interaction between people in order to reduce the transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19).  By now, we are familiarized with the recommended safety guidelines and these measures should be implemented and followed as much as possible. 

 

For example:

This also applies to public swimming pools and fitness gyms as well.  Many countries are closed parks, recreational facilities, and swimming pools as well.   Whether is to prevent big social gatherings and/or avoiding contact with others as much as possible, it is to keep you safe.  


But the question still remains is it still safe to have swimming as part of your training routine in light of the coronavirus pandemic?    

The World Health Organization has recommended chlorination level of 15mg.min/litre is sufficient to kill non-enveloped viruses such as poliovirus, rotavirus and coxsackievirus, and an enveloped virus such as Covid-19 would be inactivated at even lower levels, the document says.  Of course, it goes without saying that swimmers should follow the recommended health guidelines and avoid the swimming pool completely if they are feeling unwell, have a high temperature or have a new continuous cough.

According to the Centers for Disease Control And Prevention USA, "there is no evidence that the virus that causes COVID-19 can be spread to people through the water in pools, hot tubs, spas, or water play areas." It says that treating these types of facilities with chemicals including chlorine should "should inactivate the virus in the water."

Even fresh or salt water is highly unlikely to spread the coronavirus since other coronaviruses aren't stable in water, Angela Rasmussen, a virologist at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.

Water Transmission and COVID-19

Drinking Water, Recreational Water and Wastewater: What You Need to Know

Can the COVID-19 virus spread through drinking water?

·       The COVID-19 virus has not been detected in drinking water. Conventional water treatment methods that use filtration and disinfection, such as those in most municipal drinking water systems, should remove or inactivate the virus that causes COVID-19.

 

So can I go swim?

The Answer is Yes swimming is probably safer than most activities in this pandemic.

 

BY MALIK                                  

Location: United Arab Emirates

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