A letter to the Ministers of Education and Health as well as to the President of the CMO was sent by the Group of Owners of Swimming Pools Licensed by the CMO, expressing their concern about the inclusion of the swimming pools in the new relaxation measures.
Specifically, the owners of licensed swimming pools, inform that following instructions from the CMO to suspend work due to the pandemic, the licensed swimming pools also suspended the operation of its facilities, such as all gyms and sports facilities.
It should be emphasized that in order to ensure the Operating License of the swimming pools, in addition to the control of gyms, additional control is required from the State Health Services as well as from the Electromechanical Service.
They also point out in a letter last week that water disinfection regulations using the chlorination method in force in Cyprus (Regulations on Public Swimming Reservoirs 1996) are among the strictest in Europe with levels ranging from 1.5 - 3.0 ppm (parts per million) in contrast to what applies in Greece where the respective regulations require that chlorine levels be only from 0.4 - 0.7 ppm.
Regarding today's data, it is noteworthy that powerful organizations such as the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, the Health Service Executive Ireland claim that the virus is not transmitted through the chlorinated pool water (www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019- ncov/php/water.html?fbclid=IwAR0NeDaz0W9BMHw2sL984HdZoeWUdTkPdW1pQsAag9tH 9prnWyBdvkEE90g , https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/parks- rec/aquatic- venues.html?fbclid=IwAR14VccFwtTM_qdN5OKsq3T2iAqWXeaEd4FO5iP0pO4Hb1- QTy6hUvQaeG4 , www.irishtimes.com/news/health/coronavirus-proper-chlorination-stops- water-transmission-hse-advises-1.4197775?fbclid=IwAR2Vhss5I2z_Rgv-q- 7Sy4uJNXKzRxLuVsyhaq9t_5fbuZh5aEo6saboF5c ).
The same reports are made by other organizations as well as distinguished scientists, ranking swimming as the safest sport (http://sportsfeed.gr/ta-pio-asfali-athlimata-kata-tin- pandimia/?fbclid=IwAR0mI1EFeIStKSRsn_OMUL9Muo1tcOWHsQqS3weSDSROslfiUtM_tE h93HU ).
The swimming pools offer water programs that offer the public significant physical, psychological, mental and social benefits that contribute to a person's well-being. Also extremely important is the fact that almost all programs offered -except for a few exceptions- can be carried out with the instructor out of the water and without the use of auxiliary or other means.
In more detail:
- Adapted Exercise Programs (People with Motor and Mental Retardation) - Out-of-water or in-water trainer (www.halliwicktherapy.org - IATF statement about Covid-19).
- Rehabilitation Programs (injuries, accidents, etc.) - instructor in or out of the water (depending on the case)
- Hydro-gymnastics programs (adults) - water instructor
- Swimming Learning and Training (from infancy to competitive age) - out-of-water instructor except for very young children (www.sta.co.uk/policies/guidelines-on-swimming-teaching-where-the-the-teacher-is-in-in-the - water /)
- Free public swimming programs - no instructor required
These programs are carried out in individual (1 instructor to 1 trainee) and group (trainer-to-trainees ratio as defined by the CMO - www.cyprusgsla.com GUIDE FOR THE OCCUPATION IN THE MOTHER OF PRIVATE SCHOOLS OF HIGH SCHOOL AND FUNCTION LICENSE) level, depending on the needs of each individual, always under the observance of all the rules of safety for the health and safety requirements required.
In particular, people who participate in adjusted water exercise and rehabilitation programs have been more affected than any other social group in our population as their condition has deteriorated significantly due to their prolonged absence from treatment.
Our country is slowly coming out of the restrictive measures and that is pleasant. Applying all the measures set out in the Law on Infectious Diseases, in combination with the safety and health guidelines provided by the competent services of our country and monitoring the actions taken for the reopening of swimming pools in advanced countries such as Australia (www.royallifesaving.com.au/about/news-and-events/news-items/national-aquatic-industry- safety-committee-endorses-new-covid-19-guidelines-for-swim-schools-and-aquatic-facilities), USA ( www.ihrsa.org/improve-your-club/proper-pool-maintenance-key-to-a- safe-reopening-for-clubs /, www.ihrsa.org/improve-your-club/pool-hot-tub -sauna-safety- during-covid-19/ , https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/usa-swimming-offers- recommendations-for-opening-pools-in-safe-way/ ), the Netherlands (https://swimswam.com/dutch-pools-able-to-reopen-on-may11th-with-responsible-swimming- protocol/ ) , England (www.ukactive.com - Covid-19 - A framework for the re-opening of the gym and fitness industry (V1) FINAL), the Czech Republic (TRANSLATION OF CZECH CHAMBER OF FITNESS GUIDANCE 24TH APRIL 2020) and others, are convinced that our facilities will have absolutely no problem to re-operate following these instructions faithfully.
As a team, they will soon be preparing a detailed relevant form with guidelines for restarting swimming pools (Reopening guidelines). This form will contain scientifically substantiated instructions and tips for reopening swimming pools, with the contribution of all signatories to this letter. The sole purpose of this form will be to provide additional information to the relevant authorities.
We look forward to your positive feedback on the issue of the inclusion of swimming pools in the next steps of relaxation and we reserve the right to complete the restart instruction form specifically for swimming pools.
The letter is signed by:
- Andreas Iakovou, Iakovou Swimming Pool
- Marios Iakovou, Iakovou Swimming Pool
- Tomazos Papachristou, Ginger Swimming Pool
- Harris Tziortzis, Aquademy Leisure Center
- Stalo Tritti, Tritti Swimming Pool
- Agathi Siakalli, Swimming Pool - Hydrotherapy Center, AGS HYDROTHERAPY CENTER
- Christos Ttofi, Ttofi Swimming Pool,
- Maria Petrou, Euro Gym Swimming Pool
- Thomas Kantzilaris, Komanetsi Center
Famagusta.News