The COVID pandemic has been difficult for everyone – and for swimmers it’s been frustrating. If you don’t live within 5km of a beach in Sydney, you’ve been pretty much out of luck.

But from Monday October 11, this all changes. Swimming Australia has compiled this handy checklist about pools once they open:

• ALL indoor and outdoor pools, including pools on school sites, can open across NSW from Monday Oct 11.
• All pools across NSW can open for swimming lessons, squad training, lap swimming, and rehabilitation activities.
• Individuals who are 16 years and over must be fully vaccinated in order to attend a pool.
• Individuals who are under the age of 16 years may attend a pool if not vaccinated, however if these individuals are accompanied by an individual who is 16 years or over that person must be fully vaccinated.
• Workers in regional areas who have received one vaccination dose will be permitted to return to their workplace from October 11 and will be given a grace period until November 1 to receive their second dose. Regional areas are those outside Greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Wollongong, Shellharbour and the Central Coast.
• All pools must have a COVID-19 Safety Plan in place.
• For indoor pools, there is maximum of 1 person per 4 square metres.
• For outdoor pools, there is a maximum of 1 person per 2 square metres.
• There is maximum of 20 participants per class or group for lessons/squad/training activities
• All staff and customers over the age of 12 must wear face masks in indoor venues, except when swimming.

Obviously if you’re lucky enough to have your own pool, you can go in any time – but if you’re having friends (or even a swimming teacher) come round, it’s a good idea to stick to these rules.

Annette is double vaccinated.