Safe swimming during the pandemic
With Covid-19 cases sky high and uncertainty about what to do for the best once again determining our daily/ weekly and monthly social interactions and plans, a question that has been on my mind is:
Is it Safe To Swim?
When googling this, the results come back stating that there is little or no evidence that Covid-19 can be spread amongst individuals whilst in a swimming pool or a pool setting.
What does the science say?
In April 2021 a study by virologists at Imperial College London suggested (although these findings are yet to be published in a peer-reviewed journal) that the risk of transmission of Covid-19 in swimming pool water is incredibly low.
A collaboration between these well established and respected bodies - Swim England/ Water Babies and the Royal Life Saving Society Uk (RLSS UK) saw the commission of this study to provide context and materials for this important research.
The results are great news and certainly one that will put many people’s minds at ease as they weigh up the swim or not to swim debate in their mind.
The effects of swimming pool water on the virus that causes Covid-19
Were looked at in this study to determine the amount of time and contact that would be needed to inactivate the (SARS-CoV-2) virus in various chlorine and PH levels.
Professor Wendy Barclay, a leading virologist and expert in respiratory viruses conducted experiments in laboratories in London and was able to measure the ability of the virus to affect cells, which is the initial step in its transmission.
When mixing the virus with swimming pool water, results proved that the virus does not survive in swimming pool water - that it was no longer infectious.
Fantastic news
These findings suggest that the chance of contracting Covid-19 from swimming pool water is negligible.
Swim England chief executive Jane Nickerson has commented how delighted they are to have played such a key role alongside Imperial College London, Water Babies and RLSS UK in this groundbreaking piece of research.
You can read more about this here
So, with these findings suggesting that:
‘The risk of transmission from swimming pool water is low, and adds to the evidence that swimming pools can be safe and secure environments if appropriate measures are taken.’
This is of course great news for continuing to enjoy your water-based aquanatal classes during your pregnancy and going into 2022.
That being said, your health, safety and well-being continues to be a top priority of mine - read on to find out more about what I can promise you:
The precautions:
Upon entering the pool building please ensure you are wearing your mask (unless you are exempt from doing so).
I will be there to welcome you in and engage in the usual introduction and safe for swimming procedures that are in place (please message me if you would like to learn more about this).
In the changing rooms it is still advised to wear a mask if you are able to, an email is sent at the time of booking detailing all the ‘need to know’s’ and a list of FAQ’s.
I recommend having your swimming costume on under your clothes to make spending time in the changing rooms as limited as possible, however with our groups remaining small, social distancing measures in place and regular cleaning maintained, we are confident that we have safeguarded and protected as much as possible.
Enhanced cleaning, water testing and maintenance are also adhered to and stringent measures are in place to ensure that all of these checks are carried out regularly by the staff at the pools we use.
Risk assessments are carried out and checked throughout the term and updated as necessary.
If any guidance is updated after the date of this blog being published then you will be notified immediately via an email or telephone call.