Swimmers will be asked to arrive to pools with their costumes under their clothes and to avoid the butterfly stroke under new guidelines unveiled yesterday.
Swim England, the sport’s governing body, said the guidelines focus on ‘reducing the risk of Covid-19 transmission within the swimming pool environment’.
The rulebook has been developed with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport ahead of a government decision on the reopening of pools.
Pools, gyms and leisure centres, which were among the first facilities in the UK to close in March, are not expected to reopen before July 4.
Entitled ‘Returning To The Pool’, the guidelines tell swimmers not to arrive to any pool if they display any symptoms of the coronavirus.
They also tell people to arrive to facilities ‘ready to swim’, explaining that they should ‘shower at home, pre and post swimming’.
A paragraph explains: ‘Showers may be available at the facility but by arriving wearing your swimwear under your clothing and showering at home pre and post swimming you will help minimise time spent in the changing rooms’.
Swim England said the guidelines focus on ‘reducing the risk of Covid-19 transmission within the swimming pool environment’ (pictured, Clissold Leisure Centre, Hackney)
The Dos and Don’ts in a post-Covid-19 swimming pool, according to Swim England
This requirement should also ‘help maintain the water quality’, the rulebook states.
Swimmers must also not ‘make physical contact with other participants’ and they must ‘not overtake whilst swimming’, according to Swim England.
They must ‘follow the directional signs and move across to the appropriate lane for each length’, while they should ‘always attempt to maintain appropriate social distance between (yourself) and another swimmer’.
Wide strokes, such as the butterfly stroke, ‘should be avoided when the lanes become busy’, the guidelines state.
If swimmers change to a slower stroke, they should ‘think about moving lanes’.
When stopping for a rest or to catch their breath, swimmers must keep to the edge of the lane, turn their head away and keep their distance.
Jane Nickerson, the chief executive of Swim England, said the reopening of pools ‘will not be a case of “business as usual”‘, adding that ‘it is important we follow the latest guidance and adjust to the new “normal”‘.
Jane Nickerson, the chief executive of Swim England, said the reopening of pools ‘will not be a case of “business as usual”‘ (pictured, young swimmer doing the butterfly stroke)
In a foreword to the guidelines, she said: ‘We have all been missing the water during the Covid-19 enforced closure of swimming pools. For many of our members across all our disciplines, this will have been the longest period out of the water, which can take a toll on both our physical and mental wellbeing.
‘As the recognised national governing body, Swim England is therefore delighted to be able to produce this guidance to help ensure the safe return to the water once swimming pools are allowed to open once more.
‘Our first priority remains the safety of everyone involved in our sports, be they participants, leisure centre staff, coaches or volunteers.
‘We will at all times be led by the latest government guidance and regulations. This guidance has been produced in collaboration with experts from across the sector and I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to its creation.
‘When pools reopen, it will not be a case of “business as usual” and we know that things will have to be different, but if we are to play our part in protecting the NHS from another wave of Covid-19 admissions, it is important we follow the latest guidance and adjust to the new “normal”.
‘Swim England will continue to push for more financial support for the swimming sector to ensure we can all continue to enjoy the sports we love.’
In further guidance for swimming clubs, Swim England: ‘Equipment should be cleaned in between use. Submerging equipment in adequately disinfected swimming pool water will reduce the risk of transmission of enveloped viruses.’
Capacity should be managed so that each swimmer has six square metres of space, while pool operators should keep their pools well ventilated.
They may need to designate exit and entrance-only steps to avoid contact as people climb in and out of the water, the guidelines say.
Lessons can take place but teachers should remain on the poolside. They have also been advised to make sure that children do not share floats and must allow enough time between lessons to avoid contact between different classes.
Only one parent should accompany children to a lesson.