With summer approaching and swim schools that were abruptly closed in the Spring beginning to open back up, many families are asking an important question: Are swimming lessons safe during COVID-19? We understand this is a difficult, uncertain and uncomfortable time, and we hope to provide the facts and details your family needs to make an informed decision!
Can the Coronavirus Disease Spread through a Swimming Pool?
The CDC reported on March 10 that “there is no evidence that the virus that causes COVID-19 can spread directly to humans from water in pools, hot tubs or spas, or water play areas. Proper operation, maintenance, and disinfection (for example, with chlorine or bromine) of pools, hot tubs or spas, and water playgrounds should kill the virus that causes COVID-19.”
While the water is considered to be safe when proper cleaning measures are met, families must also consider the implementation of personal health protocols to prevent the spread of disease while outside of the pool. In addition to chemical monitoring of the pool itself, this includes physical distancing, use of personal protective equipment, and disinfection of equipment, toys and other items on the pool deck during lessons.
Can Swimming Lessons Reopen?
Understanding the importance of survival swimming lessons, some regions have begun to allow swim schools to reopen. In many cases, swim schools must reopen with a limited capacity to facilitate social distancing and provide detailed guidelines on health protocols before resuming business. These location-specific requirements are often dictated by government officials, so we recommend that you contact your local swim school for detailed information.
Even with regulations in place, reopening swim schools requires all of us to collectively practice social distancing and other daily precautions to reduce our risk of exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19. This includes staying home when we’re feeling ill or who have come into contact with someone feeling ill, or if we know someone with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19. It’s critical for each of us to do our part in protecting the health of our communities while enabling families to return to survival swimming lessons with precautions in place. These lessons are invaluable in helping to combat drowning rates, which spike during the warm summer months when swimming season is in full swing.
At British Swim School, we have begun our reopening process in a prudent manner following the appropriate state/provincial and CDC guidelines in addition to our customary and rigorous cleaning policies.
What Health Protocols are being Implemented at British Swim School?
The health and safety of our franchise owners, staff, families and communities remain our first priority as we begin to reopen our swim schools throughout the United States and Canada. We are so excited to welcome families back to our pools and have prepared to provide the best possible experience for everyone that comes into contact with our program. Prior to reopening, we developed strict health and safety protocols in consultation with industry experts, recommendations put forth by the CDC and the guidance of state and local leaders in your communities. Among many others, our health and safety measures include:
- Additional cleaning procedures in collaboration with pool partners
- Daily health check-ins with all staff, swimmers and families
- Asking children to arrive with their swimsuits on to reduce touchpoints
- Touch-free check in process with the Deck Ambassador
- Staggering class times to allow for additional cleaning and sanitization
- Limiting the equipment used in our instruction
For more detailed information and answers to frequently asked questions regarding the health and safety measures being implemented to keep our facilities safe and clean, please click HERE.