Reopening gyms and swimming pools: here we go. From today, Monday 25 May, physical activities indoors will resume throughout Italy (with the only exceptions of Lombardy and Basilicata, where the restart will take place on 31 May and 4 June respectively). However, this does not mean that everything will go back to the way it was before the coronavirus. Indeed, the safety protocols are extensive and include various measures.
REOPENING GYMS AND SWIMMING POOLS: RESERVATIONS AND LIMITED ACCESS
The most obvious concerns the entrances, which will be limited in order to avoid gatherings and minimize the risk of contagion. For the same reason, those who intend to follow courses or lessons in the most important structures will be forced to book a place, otherwise they will not be able to participate.
REOPENING OF GYMS AND SWIMMING POOLS: THE DISTANCES TO BE RESPECTED…
As far as social distancing is concerned, the rules require that people stay at least two meters apart in the gym. Even more space is required in the pool, where each swimmer must be guaranteed at least seven square meters. The contagion, in fact, can only occur in case of excessive proximity to others, certainly not across the water, in which chlorine destroys the coronavirus along with many other more resistant microorganisms.
…EVEN IN THE CHANGING ROOMS
The safety distance must also be respected in the changing rooms, where only lockers at least one meter apart may be used. The managers are therefore required to reorganize the spaces (for example by providing alternating workstations or separated by barriers) and to regulate access.
REOPENING GYMS AND SWIMMING POOLS: MASK AND HYGIENE MEASURES
Mask chapter: obviously, those who train must not wear it (for this reason the minimum distance from others in the gym is two meters instead of one), while the instructors are obliged to wear it all the time.
An obligation that existed even before Covid-19 becomes even more stringent: after each use, tools and instruments must be disinfected. It is a basic hygiene rule that in times of pandemic can even prove to be a life saver.
Finally, from the day of reopening, gyms and swimming pools will be able to detect the temperature of customers, preventing access for those who are at least 37 and a half, and will have to provide customers with sanitizing gel to disinfect their hands, both when entering and leaving.
Read the "Guidelines for basic sporting activity and motor activity in generalby the Sports Office.
