Locals hit the pools as doors reopen with strict measures to protect bathers

Summer is upon us, and as temperatures rise throughout the region, many residents are looking for ways to cool off, such as splashing around in public pools.

Thank goodness, with restrictions being gradually eased, the City of Ekurhuleni started to steadily reopen its public pools after they were closed due to the pandemic.

But this time, like all other public activities, things are a bit different to ensure people use the facilities safely as the country continues to battle the pandemic.

The City, however, pointed out that some of its pools remain closed for various reasons – including renovations, upgrades and recommissioning.

Also, as more public pools reopen their doors and more residents are heading to the public amenities to take a dip, many people have had questions about the safety risks of going to a pool amid the pandemic.

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Therefore, the Advertiser reached out to the metro for information on what steps the City’s pool operators have taken to limit the spread of Covid-19.

The metro said, as many experts noted, it’s safe for people to swim in properly treated public pools during the pandemic, but there are other risks to consider.

According to the metro spokesperson, Zweli Dlamini, the risks boil down to how close bathers are to each other and the number of people using the facility at one time.

He pointed out the biggest concern isn’t spreading the virus through the pool water, but the potential transmission of the virus in a crowded venue.

Many virologists have indicated that while properly treated pool water is quite safe from the virus, close contact when engaged in other activities with others above water and other sections of the amenities comes with risks.

Safety measures during coronavirus
To mitigate risks and make using the City’s pools a relatively safe activity, the metro has, in line with the Covid-19 regulations and recommendations made by experts, introduced mandatory protocols that must be followed at its public pools.

This includes the establishment of a new maximum number of people allowed at the pool facility at one time to support social distancing, routinely disinfecting the amenities and the use of masks when not in the pool.

To stay safe, bathers are urged to avoid interacting with others nearby, especially maskless strangers, especially in the pool since you can’t wear a mask while in the water.

The metro said it’s also a good idea to regularly sanitise your hands, especially after touching surfaces that can harbour the virus, such as bathroom and changing room door handles and taps.

The following Covid-19 measures are implemented in the City’s facilities:
• Wear a mask at all times inside and outside the facility, except when swimming. When swimming in the pool, masks are not advised out of safety concerns.
• Keep a distance of 1.5m while standing in the queue to get into the pool or in the pool space.
• Temperature screening and sanitation are done at access control points by security guards.
• Entrance hall fitted with a sanitiser dispenser, for personnel and bathers.
• Bathrooms and change rooms are fitted with soap dispensers and users are encouraged to wash their hands regularly when using the bathrooms or change rooms.
• Avoid crowding while on the pool deck by encouraging people to still maintain social distancing if not swimming in the pool.
• Toilets and change rooms are cleaned regularly to maintain a hygienic environment.
• Under alert level one, the stipulated maximum number of people allowed in outdoor gatherings is 2 000 and 750 for indoor spaces. However, most of the City’s pools cannot accommodate such numbers. Therefore, the City’s established maximum occupancy limit for bathers should not exceed 50% of the pool facilities’ usual indoor or outdoor maximum occupancy capacity.
• As experts say, indoor spaces present more of a risk to contract Covid-19 than outdoor spaces, the metro maintain a reduced number of bathers allowed at its indoor pools, such as the Boksburg North pool.
• The bathing load provides for a social distance of two metres between bathers in the pool. For instance, the Brakpan pool has a bathing load of 800 people, but to be Covid-19 compliant, the maximum number is capped at 400.
• Special PPE for pool personnel and lifeguards include two cloth masks, one shield per lifeguard and latex disposable gloves.
• Each pool is supplied with an Ambu (artificial manual breathing) unit. This is special equipment used to perform CPR under Covid conditions to prevent the transmission of the virus from either the lifeguard to the patient and vice versa.

Lifeguards keep City’s pools safe
All the City’s operational pools are equipped with lifeguards to ensure safety of bathers at all material times. The number is dependent on the size and business of the pool.

For instance, the Brakpan pool, which is Olympic size and quite busy, would be supplied with four lifeguards, while Kwa-Thema, which is a smaller pool, would have three lifeguards.

Lifeguards share their stories
The Advertiser spoke to the lifeguards, who shared their love for the job.

Thato Jabane, one of the Reiger Park Swimming Pool lifeguards, who started his career in 2010, said his job is fun although it comes with challenges.

“People do get violent when we tell them what they can do and what they shouldn’t while using the pool. We have had cases where people sneak in alcohol and when we speak to them they threaten us.

“Overcrowding over the festive season is also a challenge because it’s difficult to control the crowd. But because we are a very dedicated team, we strive to keep things under control,” said Jabane.

The Soweto resident said throughout his career he hasn’t encountered a drowning where it required him to resuscitate a swimmer.

Atlasville pool
The Advertiser also visited the Atlasville pool where bathers are required to pay a R5 entrance fee.

Thirty-one-year-old lifeguard Meshack Motloung said he qualified to become a lifeguard at BlackFin in 2012. In 2013 he was employed as a lifeguard by the City of Ekurhuleni and started his career at Edenvale and Benoni North Rand pools.

He works from Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10:00 to 18:00 and from Sundays from 14:00 to 18:00.

Motloung, who described lifeguarding as the best job, said he chose the career after he was inspired by other lifeguards, such as Desmond Nhlanhla.

“I never thought I would save somebody’s life, and it’s the best feeling. I just saved a child from drowning in September. She didn’t read the signs and went into the deep end.

“Luckily, I never lost somebody to drowning. We can see if somebody is going to give us problems. Then we keep a close eye on them.

“It can become overcrowded during holidays, and we have to keep everybody safe. Sometimes people also don’t want to listen to us, but then I explain to them that we’re trying to protect them.

“We need to protect members of the public, and we put our bodies on the line for them.

“I’ve taken a few knocks. Sometimes people don’t know what to do during a rescue and they kick you.

“Another challenge is that we can’t generate an income when pools are closed. It’s a struggle, and I believe every lifeguard feels the same way.”

Motloung said he can’t wait to welcome members of the public to the pool this festive season.

The lifeguard advised the public to always read the signs and urged parents to refrain from leaving their children at the pool.

He stressed people should consult with the lifeguards if they don’t understand something.

Operational and non-operational facilities

Although the City had reopened its pools for the swimming season, 17 out of the 37 public pools remain closed.

Eight of the 17 pools that are staying shut are unlikely to open in this swimming season, while the other nine may open later in the season.

According to Dlamini, the public amenities will remain closed for various reasons, including renovations, major upgrades and recommissioning.

Certain facilities require total reconstruction as a result of the ageing infrastructure of the pools.

“Some of these pools are over 100 years old and required a major Capex injection to repair or reconstruct. The City has put in place a rehabilitation and maintenance plan which will take into account either the total reconstruction or rehabilitation of these pools.

“However, the implementation of this plan is dependent on the availability of budget,” explained Dlamini.

Operational pools: Delville, Elsburg, Boksburg North Indoor, Reiger Park, Atlasville, Alberton, Leondale, Eden Park, Thokoza, Edenvale, Birchleigh, Etwatwa, Daveyton, Benoni North, Benoni

Central, Selection Park, Kwa-Thema, Faranani, Brakpan and Thembisa swimming pools.

Closed for renovation or maintenance: Gerdview, Klopperpark, Duduza, Alra Park, Van Dyk Park, Dinwiddie, Parkdene, Primrose and Vosloorus swimming pools.

Closed pools that have reached the end-of-life span and required either major refurbishment or total rehabilitation: Katlehong, Palm Ridge, Kempton Park, Olifantsfontein, Actonville, Olympia

Park, Geluksdal and Nigel swimming pools.

• Compiled by: Fanie Mthupha, Ntombikayise Sibeko & Tayla Smit

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