Swimming season in Corona times Bonn's open-air pools open on Thursday under special rules
Bonn · The state of NRW has published a set of rules for swimmers and personnel that are to apply in the pools. The city of Bonn will present its detailed concept on Tuesday. The first open-air swimming pool in Bonn will open on Thursday.
On Thursday the open-air swimming pool season for this year is scheduled to start in Bonn - in Corona times, however, under special conditions. Last weekend, the state of NRW published a set of rules for swimmers and staff. The city of Bonn will comment on its plans at a press conference this Tuesday.
However, the Ministry of Health has already published the hygiene rules that are to apply in principle in open-air swimming pools. According to these, the operators of the open-air pools are requested to communicate their plans to the local health authority. A "system-related infection protection and access concept" is to be drawn up and implemented. Guests who are not prepared to comply with the following rules are to be denied access within the framework of house rules.
Ten square metres of resting area per guest
Access should also be regulated in such a way that the distance rules can be observed. Ten square metres of surface area in the open-air pool per guest are mentioned as a benchmark. The classic outdoor pool kiosk with chips and ice cream is allowed to open. Catering and other offers and services are only permitted in open-air pools if they comply with established infection protection regulations. However, self-service at open drink dispensers remains prohibited until further notice.
Contact details of visitors as well as the time of entering and leaving the open-air pool or the business premises must be documented. This data is to be kept for four weeks and then securely destroyed.
The regulation further states that guests must wash or disinfect their hands after entering the open-air pool. Individual changing cubicles should also be preferred. Collective changing rooms are permitted, provided that a minimum distance of one and a half metres is maintained. Only bathing shoes and towels brought by the guests themselves should be used. The rental of swimming equipment such as swimming noodles and diving rings is not permitted.
City is still looking for temporary staff
At relatively short notice, the city had announced on 8 May that it was still looking for temporary helpers of full age as lifeguards and cashiers. The Sports and Pool Authority had started the call so late that it was not clear whether the open-air pools would be allowed to open this season.
The temporary workers are to support the teams of employees in the open-air swimming pools in supervising the edges of the pools, in cleaning and disinfection work, and in maintaining the green areas. A current DLRG rescue certificate in silver (not older than two years) and a completed first aid course (nine teaching units, not older than two years) are required. The city has not yet been able to say how the search went. All questions are to be answered at the press conference on this Tuesday.
(Original text: Thomas Leurs / Translation: Mareike Graepel)
