Is swimming in a hotel pool safe during COVID-19, or is it safer to take a dip in the ocean?
Living in a mask-wearing and a socially distant world after staying indoors for a lengthy period, taking a swim in a pool is indeed tempting.
As long as you abide by the safety guidelines and, the pool is uncrowded, the risk is low.
It’s not the water you need to worry about; it’s the people who invade your distancing space. Like the person wading in the shallow end nearby or someone standing too close, next to you in the locker room.
COVID-19 is spread through contact with airborne droplets, hence the urge to wear masks. Let’s face it, wearing a mask whilst swimming is near impossible) - but you can be masked until you get into the water and after you get out of it.
Should someone cough and spit water close to you that’s risky. So, maintain that six-foot distance – perhaps even eight feet away, especially from people who are shouting and in groups. Ideally, be it in a pool or by the beach, choose a spot that is uncrowded.
We know that both chlorinated water and saltwater are unfriendly to the virus. However, one cannot say that ocean or swimming pool water is safer. Chlorine is anti-viral; any well regulated pool water should kill the virus. As for the ocean, there is no data that says saltwater would harm the virus, but the dilution factor of the ocean is huge.
Overtime the virus overtime is going to denature in saltwater and will not survive for long in chlorinated water either. The strong winds at most beaches are a good thing. Wind carries away droplets more quickly and increases dilution in the air.
People also ask if sunshine kills the virus. We know that high-intensity ultraviolet kills the virus and is used to sterilize rooms in hospitals but solar UV is nowhere close to doing that. Similar to the science of moisture evaporation – it stays longer in dark damp hidden places unlike in bright sunshine.
Other precautions you can take: ask the hotel what their policies are in terms of disinfecting and ‘wipe-down’ of potentially contaminated surfaces.
A good hotel will post their precautionary activities including information on chlorinating of the pool and the steps they take relating to food service, wiping of sun beds, taking payments, etc.
Remember to also keep your lounge chair at least six feet away from others and to wear that mask when not swimming, eating or drinking. If one follows these rules, staying safe when getting wet is quite possible.
Hospitality Sri Lanka
The above article is from our video series “19-Hospitality Related Questions on Covid-19", which can be viewed on our Youtube channel here Why not take a moment to share your experience with us, or if you have a question you'd like answered, get in touch through reachus@hospitalitysrilanka.com We hope to hear from you, and in the meantime, check out our social media feeds on Facebook and Instagram.
Shafeek Wahab - Editor, Hospitality Sri Lanka
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