Is it Safe to Swim in the Sea or Pool Amid Coronavirus Outbreak?

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Today is May 20, it is almost summer now. We can feel it thanks to rising temperatures, at least in the part of the world where Turkey is located.

But, amid novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, which is still claiming the lives of people, can we still go on a vacation as we used to? Is it safe to swim in the sea or pool? Or does it pose any extra risks?

Dr. Yeşim Yasin from the Department of Public Health at Acıbadem University Faculty of Medicine has answered the questions of bianet.

"You can go on a vacation with peace of mind," she says, but adds, "As long as you keep your social distance and wear a mask..."

'Extra precautions can be taken at hotels'

According to Dr. Yasin, as there is no evidence suggesting that the sea and pools have a risk of transmitting the virus, it would be safe to swim:

"How coronavirus is transmitted is quite clear: We know that it is transmitted through droplets. If you obey the rules about social distance and masks when you go to the beach, it will be less likely that you catch the virus.

"Let's say that you go into the sea and the body fluids of an infected person, such as urine, saliva or sweat, are mixed in the water... It still does not pose any risks to another person. We have no evidence that it is transmitted like that.

"The statements made by the US and Europe Disease Control Centers also say that there is no risk of transmission in the sea or pool.

"It is important to not share personal belongings like a towel. I mean, actually, the rules that are normally valid are also valid in the sea and pool.

"As pools are smaller, people are more likely to be close to each other. Keeping this in mind, one can go in the pool by taking additional measures. The facilities and hotels must definitely be cleaned according to hygiene rules. Additional precautions will also be taken. Moreover, I think that the risk will be lower at the seaside and on beaches than pools.

'You can go on a vacation with peace of mind'

"What I do not understand is the following: While you give the people the right to walk around in closed spaces such as shopping malls, they do not have the right to do this in open spaces.

"Open-air spaces are much safer in the context of struggle against coronavirus, but people cannot walk around at the seaside in Turkey. Because there is a ban... In fact, a quiet walk to be taken along the shore of a sea can be good for the mental health of everyone.

'Boutique hotels can be preferred'

"We are in mid-season now and it is very easy to let some fresh air into the rooms in holiday resorts by opening the windows. And - of course, if you have the means - it is a much better idea if you choose small-scale, boutique hotels rather than giant facilities with 'all-inclusive' concepts. Because it is very easy to control the conditions in such places.

"If rules are observed, people can go on a vacation with their minds at peace. I think, so long as we do not loosen the control measures, we will gradually mingle in social life, there will be a steady decrease in the number of cases and life will return to its normal flow..."

(EMK/SD)