Bathing summer usually starts in May. Open the Lower Franconia, the lakes are very busy. Only: Is that even possible in Corona times? And what if not?
The chances for travel are poor during the Corona crisis, many Lower Franconians will probably have to spend their 2020 vacation at home. No problem in sunny and hot weather. Usually the bathing season starts in May, outdoor pools open, and more and more people are romping on the shores of lakes and rivers.
Only: Is that even possible in Corona times? And if not, does that mean financially clammy swimming pools in the region?
The following applies throughout the Free State: The operation of open air and beach pools is prohibited. According to the Bavarian Ministry of Health, it is not yet possible to predict when this will change. A ministry spokesman said that decisions must be made in consultation with experts from the medical and infectious medicine departments. Sports and exercise in the fresh air are in any case allowed – alone or with another person and “without any other group formation”, according to the ministry. “This also includes swimming and bathing in water.”
But how high is the risk of getting infected with the corona virus while splashing around? “The likelihood of infection with Sars-CoV-2 in swimming pools is no higher than in other places in public space,” said the State Office for Health (LGL). According to the Federal Environment Agency, the water in the pools is treated and disinfected. Therefore, one can assume that it is also protected against corona viruses. Only in baths with biological treatment without disinfectants could there be a certain risk of infection.
Photo: Silvia Gralla
–
Even those who want to cool off in rivers or lakes do not have to be afraid: From the experts’ point of view, the risk of infection in natural waters is “extremely low”, among other things because the concentration of potentially infectious virus particles decreases due to the dilution in the water.
Nevertheless, there will be no bathing season in 2020 as before, says Michael Frster, spokesman for the German Life Saving Society (DLRG) Bavaria. Towel to towel lying close together on the meadow, romping in the water with friends, all that is unthinkable in Corona times. The minimum distance can hardly be maintained, said Frster.
“We have zero income and only expenses.”
Wilko van Rijn, managing director Wonnemar Marktheidenfeld–
Basically, therefore, even when the weather is fine: stay at home better. “If you are attracted to swimming too much, you should only refresh yourself for a short time,” says the DLRG spokesman. And he should avoid dangers such as steep banks or currents so as not to provoke a rescue operation. The Ministry also recommends that trips to typical excursion destinations be avoided and that you only move outdoors in the immediate vicinity.
Photo: Berthold Diem
–
So the forecast for water rats this summer is bleak. This could have fatal consequences for free farmers in Lower Franconia. Numerous municipal institutions write deficits even without corona. Many swimming pools are in need of renovation, some are threatened by closure.
The corona crisis is now particularly hard on privately operated baths. Take Marktheidenfeld in the Main-Spessart district. “We have zero income and only expenditure,” says Wonnemar managing director Wilko van Rijn. Almost all employees have been on short-time work for four weeks. He does not expect rapid reopening. If travel is forbidden and baths are opened, “then thousands will come and this cannot be traded”. However, if the closure continues for months, “we have to see how we can make ends meet”. As a company, swimming pools receive the same support as other companies affected by the pandemic. But is that enough if the entire bathing season falls into the water?
Photo: Berthold Diem
–
City and district of Wrzburg
The new Nautiland did not celebrate its opening in Wrzburg until November, the Dallenbergbad usually starts in the beginning of May in the outdoor swimming season. Both are operated by Wrzburger Versorgungs- und Verkehrs-GmbH (WVV). One hopes for an opening before the summer break, says spokeswoman Cornelia Wagner. The Dallenbergbad is currently being prepared. How high the financial gains will be this summer is not yet foreseeable. In any case, the crisis is “very unfavorable” for Nautiland. The financial shortfalls are already “in the six-figure range”.
Veitshchheim’s mayor Jrgen Gtz considers it “rather unlikely that public baths will be able to open this year”. That would mean a deficit for his community, which operates the Geisbergbad.
City and district of Schweinfurt
The situation is similar in Gerolzhofen in the Geomaris. “This year we will probably not be able to open the outdoor pool at all,” said Mayor Thorsten Wozniak. It is difficult to predict what will happen next. The Geomaris is a grant operation, the closure increases the deficit according to Wozniak by 20,000 euros per week. Since all overtime hours have now been cut for swimming pool staff, short-time work has been applied for.
In the Silvana sports and leisure pool in Schweinfurt, it is also unclear when it will open again. No statement can yet be made about the economic consequences, it is said.
Photo: ArchivPatty Varasano
–
Bad Kissingen district
In the Bad Kissingen district of Bderland there is still uncertainty as to whether the season for the terrace pool and the KissSalis Therme is over before the start. “We don’t speculate,” says Thomas Hack, spokesman for the city of Bad Kissingen, which operates the terrace pool. According to Hack, the outdoor pool closes every year with a significant deficit. “How this deficit will develop without revenue and without part of the operating costs cannot currently be calculated seris.”
The KissSalis Therme only recorded a visitor record in 2019. When it can open again in the Corona year is questionable. However, a concept has been developed to protect guests and employees, says plant manager Richard Pucher.
District of Kitzingen
The end of the swimming season in Volkach is pretty certain. According to the administrative community, the outdoor pool will probably not open this summer. Regardless of Corona, the renovation is pending here.
Photo: Johanna Heim
–
Hassberge district
In Hafurt, there are fears that the outdoor pool will fall into the category of large events and that “bathing will not be possible until at least August 31,” says Norbert Zsch, managing director of the municipal utility company. If the entire season were to fail, Zsch anticipates a deficit of around EUR 75,000. This must be borne jointly by the city and public utilities. However, water rats should never fear permanent closure.
Main-Spessart district
The city of Karlstadt hopes to be able to open the outdoor pool at least during the summer holidays, as spokeswoman Kornelia Winkler reports: “Especially since we assume that vacation trips this year will only be restricted if at all possible.” The employees are currently on short-time work, but despite the corona the bathroom is not in danger.
–
