How to reduce COVID-19 risk at the beach or the pool

Australians are emerging from winter and, where possible, enjoying trips to beaches and public pools. Beach-side picnics, barbecues and get-togethers are back on the cards for many of us.

While daily COVID-19 case numbers have been looking promising in most places lately, we are still very much in a pandemic; your spring and summertime social activities might look a little different this year.

Here’s how to stay safe if you’re planning a trip to the beach or public pool.

The three golden rules

Outdoor activities are associated with reduced COVID-19 transmission risk compared to indoor activities. That said, whatever your plans, the three golden rules still apply:

• stay home if you are sick,
• keep up the hand hygiene and
• maintain physical distancing from others.

If you’re sick, you shouldn’t be socialising at all. You should be getting a COVID-19 test and self-isolating while you wait for results. Even outdoors, one sick person can spread COVID-19 to a large number of people.

Going to the beach

Firstly, pick a quieter beach. The extra time it takes to research and travel to a more secluded beach may be a hassle, but it’s less risky than going to a crowded beach (and often nicer, too). Read More

Going to the pool

The ocean is probably less risky than going to the pool, because there’s more movement of water and a high level of dilution.
So you need to approach public pools with a degree of caution. Read More

Chlorine kills coronavirus. The CDC says it is not aware of any scientific reports of the virus that causes COVID-19 spreading to people through the water in pools, hot tubs, or water playgrounds […] including saltwater pools.

Whatever you have planned this summer, think about the local risks and what you can do to reduce them.

Source
ABC News