Specialized doctors confirmed that swimming in the sea and swimming pools is safe, and does not transmit the infection of «Corona» virus when everyone maintains physical distance, and they said that until now there is no scientific evidence indicating the possibility of transmission of the virus during them.
Community medicine specialist, spokesperson for the Emirates Public Health Association, Dr. Saif Darwish, stressed that sea water and swimming pools do not transmit viruses forever, and there is no danger from them, as long as people are physically separated. He pointed out that the fear of gatherings, whether on the beaches or within the water for a distance of less than two meters, stressing the need to adhere to wearing masks on the beaches and outside the pools, and take them off before the water descends.
He continued: «Even if a spray or secretion of a person infected with the virus comes into contact with sea water or swimming pools, it cannot pose a danger, as it disperses in a large amount of water, while its transmission of infection requires it to be in a specific concentration, in addition to that the virus does not live in these waters» .
Meanwhile, Dr. Bassam Mahboub, a chest consultant at the Emirates Medical Association, said: "So far, there is no evidence that the Corona virus can be transmitted by sea water or swimming pools," stressing that infections may result from crowding and neglecting the physical spacing instructions.
He stated that the swimming pools contain a high percentage of chlorine, which eliminates the virus, as well as seawater does not transmit the infection, pointing out that the "corona" infection is basically respiratory by transferring the spray from an infected person to another, stressing the need to maintain a safe distance with Others while swimming.
For her part, the specialist in bacterial and infectious diseases at Emirates Specialist Hospital, Dr.Yamma Derani, explained that the virus does not live in salty water, nor water that contains a percentage of chlorine, and most importantly, commitment to physical distance on beaches and swimming pools.
She pointed out that the infection is transmitted by a person who suffers a cough, as it is possible to transmit the infection to others within a distance of one and a half meters in its vicinity, while the World Health Organization confirmed that those who do not have respiratory symptoms, the chance of transmission of the virus is very low, which calls for reassurance.
She stated that in the event of drinking water and entering the stomach is not a danger during swimming, because the virus does not live in sea water and water that contains ratios of chlorine.
Dr. Sherif Fayed, Consultant Chest Diseases Consultant at Al-Zahra Hospital in Dubai, stated: “The fact that the Corona virus is new, there is no clear scientific evidence yet that confirms that it can be transmitted through sea water and swimming pools.” He pointed out that viruses generally do not live in these two environments.
He said that people who go to the sea and swimming pools must adhere to physical distance and specific precautions to reduce the chance of infection.
In addition, Dubai Municipality has established precautionary controls and procedures after permitting the reopening of beaches in the emirate, the most prominent of which is the commitment to periodic measurement of body temperature, the necessity of wearing masks and gloves, as well as maintaining physical distance; Two meters between people and four meters between two groups of people, provided that only five people within one group are allowed to gather on the beaches and boats. The municipality also confirmed to the beachgoers the necessity to bring their towels, and prevent their provision and presentation on the beaches by the workers.
Transmission of the disease from one person to another
The Ministry of Health and Community Protection clarified that infection with "Covid-19" infection comes through the transmission of the disease from one person to another through small droplets or droplets that are sprinkled from the nose or mouth when any person with "Covid-19" coughs or sneezes. These droplets are on the objects and surfaces surrounding the person, and then other people can become ill when they touch these contaminated objects or surfaces and then touch their eyes, nose, or mouth, and people can get sick if they breathe the droplets that come out of the person who has the disease through a cough or exhale .
• The need to adhere to wearing masks on the beaches and outside the pools.