Swimming pools under pressure to remove Covid booking rules

Swimming pools are facing calls to drop restrictions adopted during lockdown but still in use years after the pandemic.

Indoor pools were forced to close during lockdown in 2020, which prompted concerns there would be a “lost generation” of young swimmers.

Since reopening, many operate under a system in which swimmers have to book timed slots to access the facilities.

Prof Karol Sikora, a cancer specialist, has called for the removal of such systems and suggested they act as a barrier to individuals exercising.

The measures were introduced to restrict the number of people who visited the facilities in a given time period and reduce the risk of Covid transmission.

However, swimming pools and lidos across the country are still imposing these rules, several years after the pandemic.

A number of sites across London, including Parliament Hill Lido, Hampstead Ponds, London Fields, Finchley Lido and Brockwell Lido use booking systems in which swimmers can pay for slots by buying tickets online. Similar systems are used across the country.

On its site, Brockwell Lido in south London, says: “Since the Covid-19 pandemic, all sessions for the pool must be pre-booked. There are no walk-in sessions. You cannot queue up to get access like you used to.”

Prof Sikora told The Telegraph: “Those responsible for the imposition of restrictions must now remove the last vestige three years on.”

He added: “Exercise is important for health - we need to return to the pre-Covid situation as soon as possible.

“But the minor bureaucrats that enforced the rules so quickly just don’t want to give up control.”

The number of people who swim twice a month dropped during Covid and only recovered to pre-pandemic levels in November 2023, according to data from Swim England.

‘Barrier to entry’

The latest statistics in the Active Lives adult survey found almost 4.2 million people took part in swimming activities at least twice a month in the year to Nov 2023.

Prof Sikora warned that without changing the systems used by pools these figures would be stagnant as new swimmers are discouraged from partaking in the activity.

He said: “Returning to the pre-Covid situation would encourage more people to swim. The current system acts as a barrier to entry to many and they are in turn losing out on the health benefits of the exercise.”

Swimming is particularly effective at reaching demographics such as the elderly and people with mobility limitations for whom running, walking or cycling might not be an option.

Some 221 swimming pools in England remained closed after lockdown restrictions were eased, according to a Swim England report.

These factors, coupled with the booking system, mean thousands are missing out on the health benefits of swimming, warned Prof Sikora.

‘Significant setback’

Stephanie Hilborne, CEO of charity Women in Sport: “For women and girls, leisure facilities play a particularly crucial role in helping them stay active, especially as parks dominated by men and boys can be intimidating.

“Women rely heavily on exercise classes and swimming, so anything which makes accessing swimming facilities harder isn’t just an inconvenience, it can be a significant setback.

“Our research shows that women in midlife often have to get in their exercise around family members and everything else going on in their lives, so having to book activities in advance can be difficult.

“We know any barriers or restrictions, such as the widespread closures of swimming pools since 2020, are devastating. Leisure centres and facilities are at the heart of our communities, providing essential spaces for physical health, mental well-being, and social connection.”