Taking measures to protect public health in swimming pools

Circular D1d/G.P. οικ 14947 Taking measures to protect public health in swimming pools SUBJECT: Adoption of measures to protect public health in swimming pools in your area of responsibility The Ministry of Health, within the framework of its responsibilities and taking into account the current developments to limit the spread of the coronavirus and in order to protect and safeguard public health and the health of bathers in swimming pools, stresses the need to take immediate measures to prevent the spread of the virus in the facilities of the swimming pools operating in your area of responsibility. It therefore draws the attention of those responsible for the operation of the bathing pools to the need to prevent the spread of the disease: Strict compliance with all the hygiene conditions of the swimming pool premises, as set out in the relevant health legislation in force (spectator exits, changing rooms, showers, changing rooms, washbasins, fountains) Strict assurance of the quality of the water quality of the bathing pools, which should be in accordance with Article 15 of (a) and which will be confirmed by the required sampling, the frequency of which is recommended to be doubled (at least 2 samples per week) for the next 4 months (ref. b). The water recirculation system for swimming pools (Article 16 of the above-mentioned Directive), which should be continuously renewed throughout the period of operation at a rate that ensures that it is completely renewed in no more than 4 hours and in special cases in no more than 6 hours. The renewal must be achieved either by a continuous flow of new clean water or by recirculation of the water from the tanks after prior cleaning and disinfection. The water recirculation system for cleaning and disinfection of the water shall operate during all hours of use of the tanks and beyond for as long as necessary to ensure that the water is clear and microbiologically suitable. The disinfection of the water in them, which is compulsory in all cases of operation of swimming pools as expressly required by Article 18 of (a) relative. The measurement of the chlorine residue in the water of the bathing pools, which will be carried out chromatographically using the DPD (diethylparaphenylenediamine) method and will be strictly between 0,4 and 0,7 mg/l. Strict cleanliness and thorough cleaning of the bathing pools, as provided for in Article 20 of (a). Finally, this circular is communicated to all the Environmental Health Services of the Regional Departments of the country, which are requested to intensify, within the framework of their responsibilities, the sanitary controls in the swimming pools of their areas of responsibility. THE SECRETARY-GENERAL FOR PUBLIC HEALTH P. PREZERAKOS This circular can be found at: https://www.moh.gov.gr/articles/health/dieythynsh-dhmosias-ygieinhs/ygieinhperiballontos/prostasia-poiothtas-ydatwn/poiothta-neroy-kolymbhtikwn-deksamenwn ΨΦΓ3465ΦΥΟ-ΩΞΩ-ΕΓΚΥΚΛΙΟΣ-ΓΙΑ-ΚΟΛΥΜΒΗΤΙΚΕΣ-ΔΕΞΑΜΕΝΕΣ