If your pool is opening this summer, don't be afraid to ask questions to determine whether it's safe to go. “The whole issue of sharing things should become passé in the near future, at least.”. For example, avoid the times of day when the pool is more likely to be crowded. Try to minimize how often you're out in public, Bearman says, especially if coronavirus cases are spiking in your area. What to keep in mind if your community pool reopens this summer. It takes a collaborative community effort — a multipronged approach, which includes social distancing and isolation and hygiene and wearing a mask,” he adds. It's also not a bad idea to pack disinfectant wipes to clean your chair or table. And those face-mask tans that swimmers and sunbathers will be sporting by the end of the summer? Comments: 0. again. Here's what they had to say. Then make sure your pool's plans are actually put into practice. A good one, Bearman says, is to inquire about crowd-control plans. Health officials say it can be safe, as long as swimmers stick to social distancing guidelines in and out of the water. “If a pool is maintained with chlorine or bromine and managed, there is a very low chance of getting coronavirus through the water,” said Ellen Eaton, M.D., assistant professor in the University of Alabama at Birmingham Division of Infectious Diseases. Save 25% when you join AARP and enroll in Automatic Renewal for first year. Water safety should still be a priority for parents. The CDC says there's no evidence the coronavirus can spread to people through pool water and that proper cleaning with chlorine or bromine should inactivate the virus if it's in the water. Continue to follow the guidelines on staying safe, and as long as your dentist’s office is doing the same, then it is safe to visit the dentist for non-urgent reasons. The provider’s terms, conditions and policies apply. You can see more pool safety tips here. The key question people have is whether COVID-19 can be transmitted through pool water. Whether that is using the restroom before you visit the pool, sanitizing the pool chair you may use, or not sharing sunscreen or pool toys, these measures can help make a difference and keep your family safe. We can still accomplish that, but just in a way that keeps the health and safety of ourselves and others top of mind.”. That's why, Lushniak says, this summer they “need to be even more wary” in social settings. Wash your hands often if possible, and use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol when soap and water are not available. Older people and those with underlying health conditions are at higher risk of getting severely ill from COVID-19 than younger, healthier adults. Experts say social distancing will be key. Eaton is not as worried about transmission of COVID-19 through either of those types of water — primarily due to the capacity and size of the water body — but reinforces visitors to practice the same physical distancing, hand hygiene and wearing a mask when not swimming, similar to when visiting any public place. It's best to keep your belongings close and not share them with friends and fellow swimmers during the pandemic. "It still should be a fun time; it still should be a good exercise,” Lushniak says. Air travel — a staple of pre-pandemic life that took one of the hardest hits when the coronavirus began to spread — still raises many concerns for people worried about catching COVID-19. This space minimizes the likelihood that respiratory droplets produced when an infected person talks, coughs or sneezes will spread to others. It's pretty safe to swim in a pool during the coronavirus pandemic. Visiting the pool or lake is synonymous with summer fun, but is it safe in a pandemic? It is important to practice physical distancing when you’re relaxing on the beach or by the pool. The Pool Water Treatment and Advisory Group (PWTAG) says: ‘Public health opinion is that it is generally safe to go swimming at this time. But is it safe to go swimming when the coronavirus is still spreading in the U.S.? AARP members can take the Staying Sharp brain health assessment for free! The key, the pool experts say, is to ensure you and your children are practicing excellent hygiene before, during and after your swimming session. Will hand sanitizer be available in areas throughout the facility? En español | Hair salons, restaurants and retail shops are slowly reopening for business in communities throughout the country. “Hopefully, it'll be a sign of caring for others,” Lushniak says. Members save up to 10% on premiums when enrolling online. “You may want to ask about the cleaning and disinfection of the pool area” and whether there will be a modified layout to ensure people remain 6 feet apart, he suggests. Editor's Note: The information published in this story is accurate at the time of publication. We’re serious. The more cases in your community or at your destination, the more likely you are to get and spread COVID-19 during travel. Is it safe to go to the swimming pool this summer during the COVID-19 pandemic? People should wear them, though, when they're out of the water at a community pool, “because it is still a group activity,” Lushniak notes, referencing the CDC's advice that people wear cloth face coverings in public settings when social distancing is hard to maintain. The same concerns about social distancing and hand hygiene apply at lakes and beaches, just like they do at pools or other places where people gather. You must be logged in to leave a comment. While case numbers and deaths from Covid-19 are trending downward, this is not the time to let down your guard. Another tip Eaton shared is to decrease opportunities to touch items and surfaces that do not belong to you. The pool itself is a low-risk space, assuming you’re able to maintain proper distancing from other swimmers. Because the virus can easily spread from person to person, often among those that show no symptoms, eating indoors with extended family or friends is particularly risky right now. Although there are some viruses and parasites that are waterborne, coronaviruses are not among them.”. to search for ways to make a difference in your community at UAB also encourages applications from individuals with disabilities and veterans. Ditto for sunscreen, hats and coolers. The pool itself isn't a safety risk for swimmers, since there is no evidence that the coronavirus can spread to people through water, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says, especially because most pools contain chlorine or bromine, which kill viruses and bacteria. Because, during COVID, things just come up—like a family member catching the virus, juggling your kid’s remote learning with your new work-from-home status, or just general anxiety. If your local pool does open, remember to practice safe social distancing of at least 6 feet and wash hands often as you'll be coming in contact with lots of high-touch surfaces. For the latest coronavirus news and advice go to AARP.org/coronavirus. Avoiding others in the water, however, can be trickier. As a way to beat the crowds, she encourages pool visitors to go at off hours — right when the pool opens or toward the end of the day when there are not lines and group gatherings. Important updates to UAB's COVID-19 health and safety policies, © 2020 The University of Alabama at Birmingham. ... Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. "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," the CDC said on its website. Eaton emphasizes that it is still critical that children receive proper swim training and instruction through classes that are often taught during the summer months. COVID-19 has changed everything this year, including the time-honored tradition of taking a dip in the swimming pool with a group of friends. “Pools are safe because the virus does not spread by water,” Dr. Khabbaza says. Always refer to uab.edu/uabunited for UAB's current guidelines and recommendations relating to COVID-19. The coronavirus, which causes COVID-19, is not likely to be transmitted through water, especially chlorinated water. “Even if the virus is in a chlorinated pool and that pool water gets in your eyes, you’re not really in danger. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is no evidence that the virus that causes COVID-19 can spread from person to person in water in pools, hot tubs, oceans or lakes. Follow safe swimming practices along with social distancing and everyday preventative actions to protect yourself. “Although we have less of a concern in terms of transmission of COVID-19 through surfaces, you still want to make sure that commonly used surfaces are being cleaned off, either by you or by others there at the pool,” Lushniak says. “But, you know, it's got to be modified with the idea of crowd control and modifications of coming close to others. “If a pool is maintained with chlorine or bromine and managed, there is a very low chance of getting coronavirus through the water,” said Ellen Eaton, M.D., assistant professor in the University of Alabama at Birmingham Division of Infectious Diseases. Is it safe to go to the pool or beach during the coronavirus outbreak? “If we can visit during less popular days or hours, I think that will be the best way for us to continue to enjoy fun family time together while also being responsible and mindful of minimizing any spread of the virus.”. Under normal circumstances, you might be spending much of your free time at the pool right now. You can help control coronavirus (COVID-19) and travel safely by walking and cycling, if you can. While Eaton stresses that practicing social distancing and being mindful of the virus is important, she does not want a family’s fear of the virus to stop scheduled activities, specifically swim lessons. receive communications related to AARP volunteering. If there are large pockets of people congregating and socializing, it is not the best time to let your family attend. Please return to AARP.org to learn more about other benefits. The good news: it’s extremely unlikely for coronavirus to be transmitted by water. Outside the pool, follow standard Covid-19 safety practices: Wear a mask, and maintain six feet of distance from others. That’s what worries me — transmission due to close proximity and not properly sanitizing common items found in a pool setting.”. “Years of research around pool maintenance ensures that, if a pool is using the chemicals per standard guidelines, it’s a relatively sterile environment. Lushniak says it may be important to know whether staff, including pool operators and lifeguards, will be required to wear masks when on duty. Pool Safety. Once you confirm that subscription, you will regularly If you're interested in recommended best practices for pools, the CDC has a list of considerations to help these facilities prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Another idea: Instead of having members of the same family scattered all across the pool talking to and playing with others, family units should stick together — they should swim with one another and take breaks with one another. AARP members can take the Staying Sharp brain health assessment for free! The pool itself isn't a safety risk for swimmers, since there is no evidence that the coronavirus can spread to people through water, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says, especially because most pools contain chlorine or bromine, which kill viruses and bacteria. They can also rotate swim times, keeping “people in for 10 minutes at a time, then you have to pop out,” Bearman suggests. Visiting the pool or lake is synonymous with summer fun, but is it safe in a pandemic?Visiting the pool or lake is synonymous with summer fun. Anna Medaris Miller. “I know that my children want nothing more than to cool off in the pool during the heat of the day; but realistically, that is the most crowded time to visit the pool,” Eaton said. AARP asked two public health experts for their take. “When kids play in the water at a pool, they are often very close to one another, playing on the same ladders and rafts and grabbing the same pool noodles. Professor Vincenzo Romano Spica is an expert in public health from the University of Rome and one of the lead authors of a paper on swimming pool safety during Covid-19. On land it may be as easy as scooting your chair away from your neighbor. related to AARP volunteering. Even during COVID-19, non-urgent concerns are still valid and should be looked at and taken care of. As some families visit a community pool, others will be visiting the lake or beach. The key question people have is whether COVID-19 can be transmitted through pool water. Anyone with symptoms of coronavirus, such as a fever, or someone who has tested positive for COVID or been exposed to it in the last 14 days should stay home. Members save on eye exams and eyewear at participating locations. You are leaving AARP.org and going to the website of our trusted provider. UAB is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer committed to fostering a diverse, equitable and family-friendly environment in which all faculty and staff can excel and achieve work/life balance irrespective of race, national origin, age, genetic or family medical history, gender, faith, gender identity and expression as well as sexual orientation. Who will be in charge of overseeing and enforcing the new rules? “One needs to be at least wary of the commonly touched surfaces around the pool setting.”. "One can sort of say, ‘Well, it's been in chlorinated water.’ But I would just make sure that we get into the habit of what's mine is mine,” Lushniak says. Even if your hands are submerged in chlorinated water the majority of time you are at the pool, it's important to maintain proper hand hygiene. AARP members receive exclusive member benefits & affect social change. There is no evidence that COVID-19 can be spread to humans through the use of recreational waters. And this summer many pools will join them, contingent on guidance from state and local health authorities. Members can take a free confidential hearing test by phone. Anyone can get COVID-19 , but older adults and people of any age with certain medical conditions are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID … You will be asked to register or log in. "There's really no one single way to mitigate the risk of COVID-19. Rather than worry about coronavirus in water, UCLA’s Michels and USC’s Cannon said, swimmers should stay well separated and take care before and after entering the pool, lake, river or sea. www.aarp.org/volunteer. But is it even safe to swim in a pool, and can you catch the coronavirus in a … As hot weather approaches, parents and swimmers alike are concerned about what COVID-19 means for water-based activities this season. Javascript must be enabled to use this site. Operators should ensure chlorine levels in pools and spas are kept between 1-3mg/l with the pH between 6.8-7.4. Offer good through Dec. 18, How to stay safe as restaurants, beaches and gyms open back up, 10 coronavirus myths you shouldn't believe, Coronavirus-related restrictions in each state. “And if you choose to go, still try to take some commonsense approaches.”. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there’s no evidence that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can spread through water in pools. It may mean reorganizing swim lessons to be in a smaller or more private group. Frequently touched items include doorknobs, the snack-bar counter, “even the handles heading down into the pool,” Lushniak points out. You'll start receiving the latest news, benefits, events, and programs related to AARP's mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. Swimming in the ocean should be safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. (The federal government recommends that high-risk populations continue to shelter in place during the first two reopening phases.) But Dr. Desai says what makes going to public swimming pools so risky for COVID-19 transmission isn’t the water itself, but being around more people. Are you at increased risk for severe illness? You can also manage your communication preferences by updating your account at anytime. Get instant access to discounts, programs, services, and the information you need to benefit every area of your life. In the meantime, please feel free Physical distancing and other precautions still need to be taken during outdoor summer activities, experts say. “Certainly as people get in the pool and they pop up for air, they're going to be right next to each other, and that's a potential issue,” says Gonzalo Bearman, M.D., a hospital epidemiologist and chair of the division of infectious diseases at the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Health System. | "So people can't get COVID-19 [the illness caused by the coronavirus] from swallowing water; they can't get COVID-19 from having the water come around their nose, their lips, their eyes, which are the usual routes of transmission,” explains Boris Lushniak, M.D., dean of the University of Maryland School of Public Health and former acting and deputy U.S. surgeon general. Is it safe to swim at a beach or pool during the coronavirus pandemic. Bring your own goggles, pool toys and snorkel masks. In the next 24 hours, you will receive an email to confirm your subscription to receive emails That means showering before and after swimming, disinfecting your hands after you’ve touched door handles or your locker and washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water when you get back home. Now isn’t the time to lounge on the pool deck — in fact, Gan says many pools have removed their lounge chairs and tables for that reason. A well-run, clean swimming pool with appropriately treated water using chlorine at internationally accepted levels should provide adequate disinfection to neutralize the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes the COVID-19 disease. Travel safely during the coronavirus outbreak. Eaton cautions pool-goers to worry less about coronavirus spreading through water, but rather, focus more on practicing proper physical distancing and hygiene tips when near the water. Don’t be afraid to visit your dentist for something that is concerning you. One potential solution: Pool operators can set limits on the number of people allowed on the premises. Wash your hands often, wear a face mask, “and definitely respect social distancing as much as possible, even in the water,” Bearman recommends. Is it safe to swim and go to the beach? (The New York Times reported last week that a partygoer who attended a crowded pool party over Memorial Day weekend at the Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri tested positive for coronavirus.) Please enable Javascript in your browser and try The biggest safety concern is whether people can maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from one another, both in and out of the pool. In the wake of COVID-19, this year’s Memorial Day celebrations are going to be a bit different. AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that empowers people to choose how they live as they age. A doctor suggests things to consider in a park, at the beach and the pool The virus is still around … so pool time may be a little different.”. How to protect your family from COVID-19 during the holiday season The most effective way to avoid transmitting the virus is to stay home and keep gatherings within your immediate family unit. “At the end of the day, it’s important to still make memories and enjoy time with our families this summer. Just avoid the locker room and keep moving. How many people will be allowed into the pool at a time? Face masks are another way to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus, but wearing them in the water is not safe and thus not recommended. Yes, the water in lakes and the ocean should be safe since the virus that causes COVID-19 is not transmitted in water. 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