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At the end of May the open-air swimming pools will be opening again. However, many people are worried about the high the risk of infection in the water.
On 29 May the open-air swimming pool season starts in Austria. Despite the corona crisis, the pools are allowed to open, giving many a little hope of cooling off in view of the dull holiday prospects.
But this year the bathing will not be as carefree as usual. Certain rules such as hygiene measures or the wearing of masks must be observed.
Coronavirus – Chlorinated Pool Water is Harmless
Pool water is disinfected with chlorine. Like the influenza virus, the corona virus is a so-called “enveloped” virus. H5N1, or “bird flu”, also belongs to this group of viruses. During the outbreak of the bird flu in 2006, the German Environment Agency wrote the following about the effectiveness of chlorine against these viruses:
“Enveloped viruses, which include influenza viruses, are more sensitive to the effects of disinfectants than non-enveloped viruses (e.g. the enteral viruses from municipal wastewater). This makes them more susceptible to chemical disinfection. This particularly applies to the use of chlorine and chlorine dioxide as disinfectants.“
The German Association for the Recreational and Medicinal Bath Industry reports:
“All available knowledge indicates that viruses are safely killed by chlorine.”
Swimming despite the coronavirus? Yes of course!
Therefore, if you want to enjoy swimming in an open-air swimming pool you don’t need to worry. The most important thing to consider when bathing is – like everywhere else – to observe social distance. Because everything that happens outside and at a distance, it immensely reduces the risk of infection. The hotspots in the baths are changing rooms, queues at the ticket office and too close together. Splashing around in the pool can still take place without hesitation.
- Hector Pascua
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