Is it safe to go to the beach in a pandemic? What you should know

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Editor’s note: Since the pandemic continues, CNN does not recommend that people do these activities. But if you do, there are ways to mitigate the risks. Of course, fully vaccinated people have a much lower risk of contracting and spreading the coronavirus than people who have not been vaccinated. CNN medical analyst Dr. Leana Wen advises you to address activity decisions with this in mind.

(CNN) – With summer just around the corner and with more people getting vaccinated against Covid-19, you may be wondering if going to the beach is a safe bet.

Even for people who have been completely vaccinated, “nothing will be 100% safe, just as nothing will have a 100% risk,” said CNN medical analyst Dr. Leana Wen, a physician. and visiting health policy professor at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health. However, the beaches “are much safer than other places because they are outdoors.”

The image shows the beach of St. Kilda and Dunedin, New Zealand. As the world slowly reopens, visiting beaches may be safer than traveling to inland destinations.

The image shows the beach of St. Kilda and Dunedin, New Zealand. As the world slowly reopens, visiting beaches may be safer than traveling to inland destinations.

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“We haven’t seen that (the coronavirus) spread to the water,” said Dr. Ada Stewart, a family physician at Cooperative Health in Columbia, South Carolina, and president of the American Academy of Family Physicians. Whether you’re on the beach alone or with a family or friends completely vaccinated, Stewart added, what helps reduce the risk is having your area to relax.

Always consult local government, public health office, and beach regulations in advance, as recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Beach managers may require reservations or limited capacity. In addition, he plans to arrive “swimming ready” by taking a shower and moving home first.
For times when you may need to be closer to people, such as when you visit the bathroom or dealership, wear a mask, wear a hand sanitizer, and wash your hands. The CDC has advised beach managers to make sure there is enough equipment (such as chairs and other supplies) for visitors and that everything is cleaned periodically. However, carrying hand sanitizers and spray or sanitizing wipes would be helpful to clean the equipment.
If you need to shower or rinse on the beach, try to physically stay away from others or enter when the area is not full. Wear an additional mask in case your first mask gets wet; according to the CDC, a wet mask is less effective. And do not wear the mask in water, as a wet mask can also make breathing difficult.

Stay away, on land and in water, from people who do not live with you. Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated interior areas.

The coronavirus usually spreads through respiratory drops during close physical contact, so Wen is more concerned “about what happens if people leave the beach and end up going to the bar.” Even if people are far away in places like indoor bars and restaurants, it’s best to wear a mask if you’re sharing air.

For long beach getaways, plan in advance what soft drinks, meals and drinks you’ll like, and where and how you’ll enjoy them while you’re there. Outdoor restaurants and bars are ideal, Wen said.

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