The following swimming lesson protocols will be in place this summer at both Cardinal and Johnstown Outdoor Pools. All other regular COVID-19 protocols will continue to be in effect.

• For effective reduction of risk of transmission of disease, instructors need to maintain physical distancing (two meters) from swimmers and parents/caregivers.

• For all levels in Royal Life Saving Society Preschool A-E, and Royal Life Saving Society Swimmer 1 and 2, physical distancing and safety can be maintained for participants by:

• • Conducting classes as parented classes (with a competent swimmer from the same household) to reduce the risk of disease transmission through physical distancing, as the parent/caregiver is now accountable to ensure that the child is safe in the water and contact with the instructor is minimized.
  • Swimmers and parents/caregivers should maintain physical distancing (two meters) from other swimmers and parents/caregivers in the class.

• Water Safety Instructors will deliver lessons from the pool deck with a buoyant aid at hand or in the water maintaining a two-meter distance. When demonstrations are required, instructors will remove the swimmers and parent/caregivers from the pool and have them either sit or stand on the pool edge, while the instructor provides the in-water demonstration.

• Class sizes are reduced and will range from 3 to 10 participants depending on the programming space. When reducing the class size, the swimmer and parent/caregiver are a team. For example, if registering 3 swimmers in the class, this number will include the parent/caregiver, meaning 6 people in the class.

• The number of participants in the pool at one time will coincide with the gathering restrictions as per the Health Unit guidelines.

• This configuration would allow for three classes of Royal Life Saving to go on at one time. One class with four children and parent/caregiver participants in the shallow end, and one classes of Royal Life Swimmer 3 or 4 (four participants, without parent/caregiver) conducted in the Middle of the pool and lastly a Royal Life Swimmer 5 and above to be conducted in the deep end. The instructor could be located on the deck or in the water. This will maintain physical distance for all swimmers and the instructor.
• Spectators will be asked to drop off their child at the gate to a designated meeting spot where they will meet their instructor.
• Spectators are asked to sit in the benches maintaining 2 meters from all other spectators (that are outside their household).

• Limited equipment will be available for swimming lessons. One piece of equipment per household will be issued at the start of class. Once the class is over the equipment will be disinfected before being assigned to a new swimmer.

• Parent/caregivers will be screened in their swimming ability and comfort levels in the water.

• Lesson start and end times will be staggered to limit the number of participants in the change rooms.

• A 15-minute buffer between time will be scheduled to ensure time for proper disinfection of high touch points.

• Swimmers are asked to come prepared for their lessons in their bathing suits, as the changerooms will only be available after their session when exiting the pool.

• Only 25 people are allowed to use the pool at any one time.  
• Parents are not permitted on the pool deck.
• Swimmers and spectators must maintain a 2 metre distance from others in the changeroom, pool deck, pool and on the benches.
• Spectators on the benches are required to wear a face mask and social distance. 

• All visitors must wear a mask on the pool deck and benches and in the changerooms.  Please make sure you bring a plastic to ensure your mask is secure while in the water. 

• Please wait for staff direction before entering the changerooms or pool deck.
• Lifejackets and pool noodles are available from pool staff. These will be cleaned between each use.

• Users of the pool should not spit, cough, urinate or blow their nose in the pool water. Use your elbow to cough or sneeze. 
• Avoid sharing water bottles, goggles, and towels with anyone other than family members. 

• Pool facilities are set up for one-way traffic, with an entrance at the pool gate and exit through the changerooms. Please come prepared to enter the water as changerooms will not be available until after you are finished swimming. Please refrain from socializing with others while exiting and entering the pool area or while on pool deck to maintain the flow of traffic and ensure every one's safety.   
• Spectators are not permitted to enter the facility at anytime unless directed by the pool staff. 
• If you begin to feel unwell, please remove yourself from the pool, alert staff, and put a mask on immediately.