Dear Member,

I hope you all are continuing to stay safe and well at this difficult time.

In response to the many questions I have been receiving lately from swim schools asking for official guidance in preparation for when swimming pools re-open, I wanted to write and confirm that we are looking at many different scenarios with regards to social distancing and safeguarding, but as a governing body, we, like all other leisure related associations, are not in a position at this time to issue official advice.

Like you, we cannot wait until swimming pools re-open, but it would not be appropriate for us to second-guess what measures need to be put in place until the UK Government lifts lockdown restrictions and confirms its position on social distancing rules for the leisure industry. There are so many unknowns at this time, so until we have further clarification from the Government on what rules might be relaxed, it would be unfair to confuse matters by issuing speculative advice.

This morning, Boris Johnson positively confirmed that the “UK is ‘beginning to turn the tide’ but no changes to lockdown yet” so let’s hope we hear more over the coming days / weeks, so we can all get back to doing the jobs we love so much.

Until this time, we must continue to adhere to the rules, which clearly state that all swimming pools must remain closed – this includes indoor and outdoor facilities and all private residential pools that are used for public hire.

Please be assured that we are doing all that we can to help our STA family through this, and as soon as we are able to issue guidance that is backed by fact from Public Health England, we will do.

On behalf of the team here, please may I also take this opportunity to say thank you to all our wonderful members and partners for their continued support.