The Junta de Andalucía's Ministry of Health has announced new regulations and restrictions that community pools - most of them on residential complexes - will have to comply with this summer, after they were published in the regional government’s BOJA Official Gazette.

The Official College of Property Administrators of Malaga and Melilla has pointed out that many of last year’s measures must continue to be complied with including the "meticulous" cleaning and disinfection of the facilities, "with special attention to closed spaces such as changing rooms or bathrooms prior to the opening of each day", although the main change is that the allowed capacity of the swimming pool will depend on the current coronavirus health alert level.

At health alert level 1, the capacity of the community swimming pools may be 100 per cent, both for outdoor and indoor pools. At alert level 2, the capacity may continue to be 100 per cent in outdoor pools, but will be limited to 75 per cent in indoor pools. At alert level 3, the maximum capacity will be 75 per cent for outdoor pools and 50 per cent for indoor pools. At health alert level 4, the capacity will be reduced to 50 per cent in outdoor pools and 30 per cent in indoor pools.

In addition to cleaning and disinfection measures, another of the restrictions maintained from the 2020 season is social distancing between groups that do not live together. In addition, "all personal items, such as towels, must remain within the perimeter of area, and contact with other users must be avoided," says the BOJA.

Likewise, community pools in Andalucía must have visible posters with Covid-19 hygiene and safety regulations and urge users to immediately leave the area if they show any symptoms of the disease.

The College of Property Administrators of Malaga and Melilla called for individual responsibility to enjoy the bathing season with maximum safety saying, "Despite the end of the state of alarm, it is of great importance to comply with all the control measures."