INDOOR swimming pools in England have been given the green light to reopen to the public.
Studies indicate that swimming pools can be safe and secure environments, even with a Covid-19 pandemic.
Virologists from Imperial College London found that chlorinated swimming pool water helps to inactivate the virus which causes Covid-19 in little under 30 seconds.
The findings suggest that the risk of Covid-19 transmission via swimming pool water is “incredibly low”.
According to Express.co.uk, the World Health Organisation has also spoken about using chlorine and said coronavirus can be “sensitive” to the chemical.
It said: “Conventional, centralised water treatment methods that utilise filtration and disinfection should inactivate the Covid-19 virus. Other human coronaviruses have been shown to be sensitive to chlorination and disinfection with ultraviolet light.”
When the proper amount of chlorine is added to pool water, it kills germs, including viruses, said Hackensack Meridian Health.
The site continued: “The amount of chlorine in the water needs to be properly maintained in order for its disinfectant qualities to be effective. This is why lifeguards and pool managers test chlorine and pH levels throughout the day and make adjustments as needed.”
The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said that when swimming pools are properly maintained, the chlorine in the water should “inactivate” coronavirus, which would prevent the virus from spreading.
