Useful Tips to enjoy the beach during COVID
As much as the COVID-10 Pandemic has affected outdoor recreational activities, there have been steps taken by Blue Flag National Operators and Beach Managers around the world to reduce the spread of the deadly virus. If you are able to select a Blue Flag awarded site, the suggestions below are probably implemented already.
Swim and Go- There is no evidence that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can spread to people through water in these places. So take a swim, enjoy the water and leave.
Social Distance while at the beach. If you cannot swim and go, then practice safe distancing using a barricade. While there might be enough space at the beach, sometimes the boundaries between users can get blurred. Keep your distance by creating your own cordoned area. This was presented by the Blue Flag National Operators of Spain in the form of a safe beach kit, initiated by the Department of Tourism of the Gandia City Council, Spain aimed at making it easier to maintain safety distance on the beach. The KIT PLAYA DE GANDIA (Gandia Beach Kit) consists of four wooden pegs and four strips that can build a plot of 16 square meters.
Social distance for safer queuing to the bathroom- if you really need to go be sure to keep your distance on your way to the toilet. Ensure 2.5m (6 feet) width between persons at all times.
Use hands-free devices. The installation of hands-free sanitization equipment eliminate common touch points and the spread of bacteria in high risk areas. There are elbow-operated dispensers and foot-operated foot wash instead of using your hands. Special thanks to Blue Flag Ireland and Spain for sharing their COVID-19 best practices, I hope these initiatives will help to keep you and your loved ones safe.
