Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) latest information - PWTAG - The Pool Water Treatment Advisory Group

PWTAG has consulted with Public Health England who have told us: “We have checked with our national leads who confirm that coronavirus would be inactivated at the levels of chlorine used in swimming pools.”

Public Health opinion is that it is generally safe to go swimming at this time. Water and the chlorine within swimming pools will help to kill the virus. Of concern, though, is the interaction that pool users have with each other beyond the swimming activity. The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situation is evolving and characteristics of the virus are still being determined.

For everyone’s safety, PWTAG is urging the management and owners of swimming pools to ensure:

• Frequent, regular, testing of the pool water for pH and disinfectant levels.
• That pH and disinfectant levels comply with PWTAG guidance in the Code of Practice.
• Monthly bacteriological tests of pool water are carried out by an UKAS approved laboratory.
• And to clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces in the pool environment, ensuring a frequent and regular cleansing regime of all areas used by the public.
• Public Health England novel coronavirus what you need to know blog 

Users of swimming pools, on the other hand, are directed to shower before entering the pool to remove impurities typically found on bodies, and to shower on leaving the pool. They also are directed to observe good public hygiene practices.

Above all, bathers who are unwell should be discouraged from using the pool. Follow the guidance on page 34 in the Code of Practice on “when not to swim”.