Watch: Swimming pool shower rooms and changing areas prohibited for entry in clothing, and pools without showering

Considering the significant influx of visitors during the summer holiday season, the Armenian Health and Labor Inspectorate (AHLII) urges operators to adhere to sanitary and epidemiological norms, particularly the permissible load on swimming pools. This information was provided by the inspectorate.

Swimming pools and baths are among the most likely areas for the spread of a number of infections in hotel facilities. The AHLII insists on compliance with all regulations. Specifically, the water in pools must be disinfected. “Disinfection of the pool water is carried out through chlorination, ozonation, ultraviolet radiation, and bromination,” noted Lilith Hunanian, a senior specialist at the department of hygiene, sanitary-epidemiological, and anti-epidemic control at AHLII.

The water temperature in adult pools should be between 24-26 degrees Celsius, while in children's pools, it should be 30 degrees. For adult pools, the normative surface area of water required per person is 5.0-8.0 square meters, and for children, it is 4.0-5.0 square meters. To remove the top contaminated layer of pool water, drainage gutters must be installed on the pool walls.

Entry into shower rooms and changing areas of swimming pools (baths) wearing clothes and shoes is prohibited, and entering the pool without showering is also not allowed. Customers must be provided with single-use slippers and individually packaged hygiene products such as soap, sponges, towels, etc.

The pool's medical staff must conduct an external inspection every day to prevent individuals showing symptoms of mycosis and other infectious skin diseases from using the pool. Preschool and elementary school-aged children who visit the pool must be periodically tested for enterobiasis.

The microclimate of pools and baths must be checked every four hours. During the pandemic, separate safety rules have been established for hotel enterprises, under the supervision of the AHLII. “In this regard, we once again urge strict adherence to these rules; otherwise, administrative liability measures will be applied,” the inspectorate stated.