Swimming pools open with new regulations

They had remained closed to the public for 11 months

Swimming pools, closed since March last year, are open to the public again.The government has now issued a set of guidelines, subject to revision after February 28.

In October last year, pools partially reopened for sportspeople. They are throwing their doors open to the public only now.

At Kensington Swimming Pool, Ulsoor, swimmers change in the gallery or around the pool, staying away from changing rooms.

“This is to avoid contact in common areas. At any given time, we allow only two people to use the restrooms. We also check temperatures when swimmers leave our premises,” says Madhu Kumar B M, manager.

After coaching, the pool, deck and restrooms are sanitised. A public batch is limited to 50 people per hour as against 200 pre-Covid. “We will observe how things go for two weeks and change accordingly,” he says.

Agon Sports, Kothanur, is sanitising the pool every hour. “Washrooms and chairs are cleaned regularly. People outside the pool have to wear masks all the time,” says Andrew Michael, manager.

Swimmers are not allowed to spit in the pool. A bowl is given outside the pool in case a swimmer wants to spit. The swimmer has to dispose of it in the dustbin, he explains. Before the pandemic, 30 were allowed in the pool. The number is now 10.

Swimlife Swimming, with branches in Indiranagar, Vittal Mallya Road, and Museum Road, opened on Monday.

Satish Kumar, proprietor, says, “Our hours remain the same, but we have restricted the number of people in the pool to 16 per hour.”

Still planning

Many swimming pools are gearing up to reopen. Ray Centre, Wilson Garden, Lakkasandra, is planning to resume operations on February 8.

Shivrajkumar Maranur, manager, says batches are now restricted to 30 minutes. Those with Covid symptoms are not allowed inside.

“For our competitive batches, we did Covid testing every month; we also did it for swimmers’ parents and our staff,” he says.

Global Swim Centre, Sheshadripuram, hopes to be back in business in a week’s time. Some directives are not practical, says B A Shyam, managing partner. “Keeping a lane unused is not feasible. And swimmers can’t swim in just one direction as they may want to switch between deep and shallow ends,” he says.

Precautionary steps

* Fewer people in pool

* Mandatory shower

* Hourly sanitisation

* No spitting