Swimming pools and coronavirus.

[Kakey1294129]

How safe are pools? Dc are desperate to go swimming. Haven't been since just before first lockdown.

I know I need to go but swimming made me anxious before, let alone now.

Are they covid safe? Local leisure centre has staggered times, bookings etc. But can't help feel anxious.

Anyone put my mind at ease?

I just see changing rooms and swimming pools as germy at the best of times 😂

I haven't seen any outbreaks linked to pools, even in the USA where pools have stayed open throughout in most places and the covid infection rates have been far higher. The main risk is from lack of social distancing in the changing rooms, but the staggered times and bookings to reduce overcrowding deals with that - you should have plenty of space to social distance, and while you're in the pool the chlorinated swimming pool water actually kills covid so I would say pretty safe!! www.swimming.org/swimengland/swimming-pool-water-inactivates-covid19-virus/

The senior instructor at my daughter’s swimming class said according to the UK association of swimming instruction (or whatever it’s called) there have been no confirmed cases of COVID transmission in children linked to contact at swimming lessons. Obviously just an anecdote, but she seemed very certain.

I’ve been swimming almost daily for three months and I’ve not thought twice about it, I’ll happily keep going.

I would think a soak in mild bleach was pretty Covid safe 😂

The chlorination will sort it. It will be fine.

We've been a couple of times and it felt very safe. We had our own booths that were socially distanced in changing room and our own 'tank' in the pool. We had the whole toddler pool as DD is only small, but the big pool was divided by ropes.

bleach (chlorine) destroys coronavirus.
I wouldn't worry

Meh, swimming pools and changing rooms are germ pits anyway, pre and post covid 🤷🏻‍♀️ Personally I wouldn't worry about it.

@ColettesEarrings

Meh, swimming pools and changing rooms are germ pits anyway, pre and post covid 🤷🏻‍♀️ Personally I wouldn't worry about it.

Exactly.

We use a local private pool, located in someone's back garden that they hire out for private use. Doesn't work out much more expensive than going to our local public pool and so nice to have the place to ourselves. You could have a search to see if there's anything similar in your area OP.

We are going on Sunday. Taken ages to get a bloody slot in the family swim sessions. Feels perfectly safe to me and I'll be delighted when I don't have to book it a month in advance.

I read that chlorine kills the virus so the activity is fine. I guess it’s the changing rooms that are the risk. So I’d just spend as least time in there as possible. Go changed, shower at home etc.

My dd swims 8 times a week, not picked up a thing. I really wouldn’t worry about it.

You're basically swimming in dilute bleach, so the pool itself is fine.

Every pool is managing it differently, so you need to check locally, but at ours, there have been restrictions on changing rooms, and they still prefer you to arrive swim ready, i.e. swimming cossie on under clothes. Showers have just reopened a couple of weeks ago, but I've still been showering back home, because I am not yet in the habit of bringing shampoo with me.

Swimming itself is better because you have to book, so it hasn't been too crowded at any point.

@ColettesEarrings

Meh, swimming pools and changing rooms are germ pits anyway, pre and post covid 🤷🏻‍♀️ Personally I wouldn't worry about it.

Exactly this. About to go to a pool now with my kids and dreading the inevitable pubes and used old plasters all over the place

Thanks all. My concerns are over the changing rooms. I have contact the centre and it's all one way. Family changing on entry and normal changing rooms on exit... hoping staggered entry and exit plus one way will help. They did say they are going back to total normal next week ie no one way system, no limit on numbers so more of a reason to go this weekend I guess. I hate a busy pool at the best of times 😂

You cam avoid using the changing rooms. We've been told to arrive "beach ready" and then it's your choice whether to use the changing rooms afterwards or head home slightly damp for a shower!

I am not quite sure what is happening from Monday. They'd already relaxed the rules on not using changing rooms beforehand, but not sure if they will make the lanes normal width etc.

More at risk of picking up a verucca.

Ours gave been going to lessons every week they could throughout.

Neither have ever tested positive.

We have been to a Lido this week,it was lovely.

I think being outdoors helps a bit and is very pleasant in sunny weather

We've been swimming regularly at our local leisure centre since they reopened. Like yours, you go dressed to swim, changing rooms on exit only, one way system. All feels really well run. Don't want DC to forget how to swim!

They did say they are going back to total normal next week ie no one way system, no limit on numbers so more of a reason to go this weekend I guess. I hate a busy pool at the best of times

Oh, I wonder if that's why lane swimming isn't showing on our booking system for next week. Must remember to ask when I go this evening. It's better with limited numbers...

If you are concerned you could also arrive a little late for the session and leave ten minutes early, then you can avoid the busy time in the changing rooms.

Not changing rooms related but our DC's swimming teacher tested positive on a Tuesday. The Sunday before that, both our kids had been centimetres from his face multiple times while he did demonstrations with them. I was SURE they would catch it, but they didn't. I wondered whether the fact that they were repeatedly dunked under water killed any covid in their noses before it could take hold.

@CoffeeWithCheese

More at risk of picking up a verucca.

Oh god, I know! 😒

You will be lucky to get in. All booked up a week in advance at my local pool.