Many still cautious about using swimming facilities

PETALING JAYA: Public and private swimming pools will reopen on Wednesday but the public is somewhat wary about taking a dip.

Marketing manager Phoebe Wong, 35, said she would rather wait for some time before jumping into the swimming pool at her condominium in Ara Damansara.

This is because she is worried that there is no full-time lifeguard or supervisor at the pool areas.

“There isn’t anyone to manage the crowd, especially with kids running around, because I am sure that there are parents in my condominium who are waiting to take their little ones out.

“Even before the movement control order (MCO), the pool can get crowded at times. While I know there isn’t any evidence yet that Covid-19 can be spread through pools, I’ll be extra cautious for now, ” she said.

Wong also said that her condominium management had yet to issue an advisory on the reopening of the pool. She said she would wait at least a fortnight before deciding to take a dip.

Accountant G. Komathy, 30, who lives in Pantai Dalam, said the management of her condominium had decided not to open the pool services for the residents yet, a move she described as a good call by the management.

“I won’t go even if it’s open. I think it’s a lot harder to clean and sanitise the area compared to dry areas. I may be wrong but just erring on the side of caution, ” she quipped.

Komathy added that generally she is leery of public pools as well, citing hygiene as her concern.

“Who knows what gets into the water? Just stay at home for a little longer until there are no more cases since it looks like we are almost there anyway, ” she added.

Content writer Amir Rosli, 27, said he has not heard anything from his management about the pool in his condominium being reopened yet.

However, Amir said residents had been told to stay away from the swimming pool area as there had been a spike in dengue cases in the condominium due to a halted construction project next door.

“If the pool reopens, I wouldn’t use it anyway because I’ve never used it in the first place.

“But my nephews, who will visit me during Hari Raya Haji, are already saying how excited they are to use the pool.

“Since they’re only coming at the end of July, I’ll have a lot of time to assess whether it’s safe for them to use the pool, ” said Amir who lives in a condominium in Mont Kiara.

Private tutor Punitha Pancha, 38, however said she is eager to take a dip in the pool once the facility at her condominium reopens.

“I trust the management is taking precaution.

“But I would avoid it if there are too many people there, ” said Punitha who lives in a condominium in Subang.