As per the latest updates by Worldo Meters on 18th March 2020, the world has recorded 198,741 cases out of which 7,988 patients have died while 82,763 recovered successfully.
The rising number of COVID-19 cases has left people wondering how to defeat it. While this coronavirus outbreak is on its peak, swimmers all around the world are in the dilemma of whether it’s safe to swim or not?
Lets find out…
Is Swimming Safe During The Covid-19 Epidemic ?
For a swimmer, maintaining distance from the pool is quite hard. But the coronavirus outbreak has made many people to lock them inside, let alone swim.
The PWTAG (The Pool Treatment Advisory Group) says- “Visitors to swimming pools are reminded to shower before using the pool, to shower on leaving the pool and to follow the necessary hygiene precautions when visiting public places to help reduce the risk of infection.”
The WHO (World Health Organisation) recommends maintaining the chlorination level at 15mg.min/liter to kill rotavirus, poliovirus, COVID-19, and coxsackievirus. Therefore, if the swimming pool water is chlorinated timely, it’s absolutely safe to swim.
Coronavirus spreads through humans and not water. So yes, your swimming pools are completely safe from coronavirus unless the swimmers have contracted!
Herein, we are listing a few precautions for swimmers to maintain the highest level of hygiene:
- Take Shower-
Take a shower before and after swimming. This is to eliminate the chances of getting in touch with viruses in the air. For the best, bathe using paper soap which is usually untouched.
- Sanitize Your Hands-
Use alcohol-based sanitizers to quickly kill the germs. Right from multiple brands to flavors, there are several hand sanitizers available in the market.
3. Avoid Crowded Swimming Pool-
Maintain social distancing in all situations. Do not visit over-crowded pools. Swim only when the pool is empty otherwise you may be putting yourself at the risk of catching coronavirus.
4. Check Chlorine Amount-
If it’s your own pool, clean the pool water with shock packs or water clearing tablets which dissolves in seconds & shows prompt results. To ensure a healthy pool, the ideal chlorine level is somewhere in-between 1.0 to 3.0 parts per million.
5. Avoid Physical Proximity
This rule applies inside the swimming area too. Maintain a 1-meter distance with people while communicating to stop this virus from spreading.
Go For An Extra Layer Of Protection-
As this virus is highly contagious taking all the necessary precautions is mandatory. If you have your own indoor pool, having an automatic retractable pool cover installed can keep your extra protected. In addition to pool enclosures, you can use an air purifier at least for 3 to 4 hours a day.
The Bottom Line-
As COVID-19 virus is spreading globally, taking all the necessary precautions has become the biggest need of the hour. People have misconceptions about swimming pools spreading viruses whereas taking basic hygiene measures is enough to dive in the pool.
However, you can limit the frequency for your safety.
Maintain Hygiene & Stay Safe!
The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.