Swimming and indoor fitness activities in Rwanda are poised for a phased re-opening following the cabinet’s approval last Friday, November 27.

The facilities for swimming and gyms have been out of business since mid-March as the government put up strict measures to contain the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.

But, while swimmers and gymgoers breathe a ‘finally’ sigh of relief, there is no denying that coronavirus is still around and so is the risk of catching and spreading it.

The two activities received a green-light for reopening later than most other services in the country, and it was not by mistake. They are relatively high-risk environments for a super infectious virus like Covid-19, and this is especially true because users breathe heavily and share equipment.

To facilitate the highly anticipated reopening, the Ministry of Sports has issued guidelines to be observed. It is up to the users and owners of the facilities to be responsible citizens and adhere to the guidelines for everyone’s sake – certainly no one would wish to see them closed again and the government, as it has shown, will not spare any effort to combat the outbreak.

At the height of the pandemic, in August, two markets in Kigali were temporarily closed as they became the hotspot for new cases.

To avoid a similar situation, gym and swimming pool owners have been urged to carry out thorough cleaning and to avail online booking and electronic payment system as well as not exceeding 50 per cent of the facility’s capacity per session.

However, the bigger task lies with the users. Among other precautions, gym clients and swimmers are advised to respect a 2-metre and 2.5-metre physical distance, respectively. They must also put on their face coverings properly before and after exercising, and the sharing of equipment is discouraged.

Scientists have shown that it is unlikely that coronavirus can spread in well-maintained and appropriately chlorinated swimming pools, but the reopening of these important facilities is no time to be reckless – not for owners, and definitely not for users.