KOLKATA: After staying out of the water for a year due to the pandemic, over 10,000 swimmers are gearing up to jump back into some of the city’s major pools owned by Kolkata Municipal Corporation, and run by different swimming clubs. However, their wait may get longer if these clubs do not adhere to an SOP prescribed by the ministry of youth affairs and sports.
According to the SOP, swimmers, trainers and divers will need to submit an undertaking to the clubs that run the pools stating that they are neither suffering from any symptom suggestive of Covid-19 nor have come in close contact with a person who has tested positive. They will also have to ensure they don’t live in an active containment zone. Copies of the undertaking will be sent to the KMC parks and square department before the civic body gives a go-ahead to begin the swimming session.
However, swimmers, coaches, staffers and visitors who are at higher risk — 65 years old or more — pregnant women, children under 10 and those who have co-morbidity factors must avoid swimming pools. The clubs will need to nominate a nodal Covid-19 officer from among their coaches to look after the protocols.
Keeping in mind the large number of swimmers, strict vigil has to be maintained when it comes to physical distance. Physical distancing of 6ft on pool premises will be a must and staggering of swimmers for different events/training sessions will be enforced. CCTV monitoring has been made mandatory to keep watch on crowding at the pool, gallery and common areas.
In addition to these measures, keeping the pools safe for swimmers will also be a must for the clubs. “Chlorination of the entire pool at prescribed intervals has been made mandatory for the clubs. Disinfection of the entire complex regularly will also be required,” said a KMC parks and square department senior official.
However, officials of a section of the clubs felt that adhering to the SOP could be an expensive affair and they would need more space to comply with the protocols. Gautam Mullick, the general secretary of College Square swimming pool said they had received the SOP. However, he felt it would be difficult for them to create space for physical distancing among its 1,500 swimmers.
There are six swimming clubs at College Square, which train around 4,000 swimmers every year. Besides College Square, the parks and square department oversees functioning of several other pools, including Hedua, Tallah, Padmapukur (Sarat Bose Road) and Padmapukur (Kidderpore).