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

Tiago Almeida / Upsplash

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

Here's how to stay safe ...

Posted on 01.10.2020

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

 

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