The Royal Dutch Swimming Federation (KNZB), in conjunction with the nation’s swimming industry, published its Responsible Swimming Protocol, intended to be used in the reopening of swimming pools.
Designed with specific recommendations for administrators, swimmers, employees, tenants, as well as suppliers, the document covers topics ranging from general hygiene to social distancing parameters now that facilities are opening back up as of May 11th.
“Swimming provides fun, safety, and fitness. With the swimming industry, we want to offer everyone the opportunity to take a dip in an indoor or outdoor pool as soon as possible. The protocol ensures that everyone can enjoy swimming in a safe and responsible way,” says KNZB of the protocols.
“In the interest of the public health of swimmers, pool staff and visitors, pool facilities will implement and enforce the measures in the protocol.
“In addition, compliance with the rules is necessary for everyone per target group. Only in this way can we together ensure that everyone can use the swimming pools in a safe and responsible manner.”
First and foremost, the document declares anyone should stay home if they’ve had symptoms of cold, cough, chest tightness, or fever in the past 24 hours. Additionally, if anyone in a person’s household has had these symptoms, swimmers and employees are told to stay home.
A few additional protocols include:
- Facilities appointing at least one ‘corona responsible representative’ for each location, with this person making sure that there is coronavirus compliance by all parties.
- Swimmers are told not to arrive earlier than 10 minutes prior to the practice state time and are told to leave the facility immediately after practice.
- Showering at home before and after swimming, rather than at the facility, is advised.
- Swimmers need to adhere to the 1.5-meter social distance within the pool as well.