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SWIMMING

What are the new rules for swimming pools in Germany?

Some German states have already opened swimming pools, whereas others will be following in the coming weeks. Here's what you need to know, whether you're just taking a dip or swimming laps.

Splashing while social distancing, visits only by appointment and queues in front of the water: Open-air pools in Germany are starting the summer season in the shadow of the corona pandemic. 

READ ALSO: Is it safe to go swimming in Germany this summer?

In Saxony outdoor swimming pools have been allowed to open their doors again since May 15th, and in North Rhine-Westphalia since Wednesday, May 20th. 

Other states will follow suit in the coming weeks. In Berlin all outdoor pools – both for doing laps and bathing – will welcome guests again on May 25th, whereas Lower Saxony will just open its lap pools.

For the time being Hesse will be just reopening its pools for sports associations (Vereine). Bavaria does not want to open its pools until at least June, and Baden-Württemberg is still waiting to see how the overall situation develops.

E-tickets

Especially on hot summer days, many people long for a jump into the cool water. But this summer, the quick swim after work will not be possible everywhere without restrictions, explained Christian Ochsenbauer, managing director of the German Society for Swimming (DGfB).

In order to better manage hordes of potential visitors, many swimming pools want to offer special season tickets. 

READ ALSO: 'Glimpse of hope': The verdict in Germany on the easing of coronavirus restrictions

This is the case, for example, for the “Kölnbäder” (Cologne city pools), where customers are only admitted with e-tickets. 

A 'Freibad' or open-air pool in Ochtrup, North Rhine-Westphalia, which is expected to open its doors to swimmers on May 20th. Photo: DPA

“Spontaneous visits are not planned [this year],” said press spokeswoman Franziska Graalmann. 

By registering online, a concept also planned in Berlin, the pools would also be fulfilling their obligation to provide proof of attendance.

Distance, distance, distance

Whether on the sunbathing lawn, when standing in line at the diving platform or in the pool: distance is the order of the day. In Cologne or Düsseldorf, markings are already being put up on the ground, and in some pools the special lanes only permit people to swim in one direction.

The approximately 1.5 metre long pool noodles sometimes serve as spacers. The DGfB also recommends limiting the number of people in the pools.

“It can happen that people will have to stand in a queue in front of the pool,” said Ochsenbauer.

New tasks for lifeguards

Nobody can predict how the visitors will deal with the new rules. Operators such as the “Kölnbäder” rely on the common sense of their customers.

“We hope that some things have already been learned,” says Graalmann. 

Nevertheless, he said, the staff are urged to check distance rules and to warn visitors if necessary. Anyone who absolutely does not want to adhere to them must leave the pool grounds. On the lawns, security will also check that no large groups have formed. 

The lifeguards will be tasked with a different duty than usual this year: DGfB managing director Ochsenbauer suggests that they count the swimmers and block the pools if necessary.

Disinfecting

The distance rules are intended to ensure that the coronavirus does not spread through the air. In addition, sanitary facilities should be cleaned more often; in Berlin, changing rooms and showers are slated to remain completely closed. 

Some bathrooms also plan to interrupt operations every few hours and carry out a basic cleaning, as Ochsenbauer reports.

A cleaner already began disinfecting a pool in Darmstadt on April 23rd. At the moment, pools in Hesse will only open their doors to sports associations. Photo: DPA

Yet nobody has to worry about the virus spreading through the water: according to the Federal Environment Agency, filtration and disinfection in conventional swimming pool water ensures that viruses are reliably inactivated.

READ ALSO: Expert Q&A: 'Social distancing will be needed for a very long time in Germany'

A piece of normality

Despite all of the restrictions this year, many operators are trying to establish something like normality. In most swimming pools, the little ones should also be able to romp in the paddling pools, said Ochsenbauer.

Even the obligatory open-air pool french fries are usually okay, as the built-in restaurants are open in many places. And if the rules on distancing are observed, attractions such as diving towers and slides should also be accessible to visitors. 

Apart from safety and hygiene, there is another important thing to keep in mind, said Ochsenbauer: “Quality of life”.

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HEALTH

Could there be a new wave of Covid-19 in Germany this autumn?

It’s back again: amid sinking temperatures, the incidence of Covid-19 has been slowly rising in Germany. But is this enough to merit worrying about the virus?

Could there be a new wave of Covid-19 in Germany this autumn?

More people donning face masks in supermarkets, friends cancelling plans last minute due to getting sick with Covid-19. We might have seen some of those familiar reminders recently that the coronavirus is still around, but could there really be a resurgence of the virus like we experienced during the pandemic years?

According to virologists, the answer seems to be ‘maybe’: since July, the number of people newly infected with Covid-19 has been slowly rising from a very low level.

According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), nine people per 100,000 inhabitants became newly infected in Germany last week. A year ago, there were only around 270 reported cases.

Various Corona variants are currently on the loose in the country. According to the RKI,  the EG.5 (also called Eris) and XBB.1.16 lines were each detected in the week ending September 3rd with a share of just under 23 percent. 

The highly mutated variant BA.2.86 (Pirola), which is currently under observation by the World Health Organisation (WHO), also arrived in the country this week, according to RKI. 

High number of unreported case

The RKI epidemiologists also warned about a high number of unreported cases since hardly any testing is done. They pointed out that almost half of all registered sewage treatment plants report an increasing viral load in wastewater tests.

The number of hospital admissions has also increased slightly, but are still a far cry from the occupation rate amid the pandemic. Last week it was two per 100,000 inhabitants. In the intensive care units, only 1.2 percent of all beds are occupied by Covid-19 patients.

Still, a good three-quarters (76.4 percent) of people in Germany have been vaccinated at least twice and thus have basic immunity, reported RKI. 

Since Monday, doctors’ offices have been vaccinating with the adapted vaccine from Biontech/Pfizer, available to anyone over 12 years old, with a vaccine for small children set to be released the following week and one for those between 5 and 11 to come out October 2nd.

But Health Minister Karl Lauterbach has so far only recommended that people over 60 and those with pre-existing conditions get vaccinated.

READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: Who should get a Covid jab this autumn in Germany?

“The pandemic is over, the virus remains,” he said. “We cannot predict the course of coming waves of corona, but it is clear that older people and people with pre-existing conditions remain at higher risk of becoming severely ill from Covid-19”

The RKI also recommended that people with a cold voluntarily wear a mask. Anyone exhibiting cough, cold, sore throat or other symptoms of a respiratory illness should voluntarily stay at home for three to five days and take regular corona self-tests. 

However, further measures such as contact restrictions are not necessary, he said.

One of many diseases

As of this autumn, Covid-19 could be one of many respiratory diseases. As with influenza, there are no longer absolute infection figures for coronavirus.

Saarbrücken pharmacist Thorsten Lehr told German broadcaster ZDF that self-protection through vaccinations, wearing a mask and getting tested when symptoms appear are prerequisites for surviving the Covid autumn well. 

Only a new, more aggressive mutation could completely turn the game around, he added.

On April 7th of this year, Germany removed the last of its over two-year long coronavirus restrictions, including mask-wearing in some public places.

READ ALSO: German doctors recommend Covid-19 self-tests amid new variant

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