Seaside safety in the new normal

If you missed the chance to go to the beach because of the pandemic, chances are, you’re itching to go there right after the quarantine. Is there a better way to celebrate months of isolation than to go out for some sun and sand?

Unfortunately, COVID-19 is still in our midst, and so we need to take a few precautions once we are finally allowed to take vacations.

If you’re wondering what the beach scene will be like in the era of the “new normal,” check out some scenes from around the world where they are able to enjoy the sea and remain safe at the same time. While it might be a while before we can go back to our carefree ways at the beach, there’s definitely a way we can go about social distancing under the sun.

Drones are now keeping watch over beachgoers in many tourist spots.

Drones and Daytona Beach

Thank God for technology. Hi-tech devices usually make our lives easier and in the case of Daytona Beach, they allow us to enjoy the beach without worry.

The Florida tourist spot has turned to drones to keep beachgoers safe amid the threat of a virus infection. Under the watchful eyes of the local police department, beachgoers can swim and frolic as they please. They have to maintain at least six feet (1.8 meters) of distance from each other, however, because otherwise, a drone will swoop in and reprimand them.

Each drone is fitted with cameras and loud speakers to allow the police to survey the beach and remind people of safety precautions while basking under the sun.

In addition, the flying machines are equipped with forward-looking infrared (FLIR) cameras that can detect beachgoers with fever. While you may feel a bit uncomfortable about the idea of being watched while you swim or sunbathe, it’s a reasonable compromise to ensure you won’t get sick by the sea.

Bacino Grande, one of the resorts situated in Porto Cesareo, Italy, handed out aerial photos of their setup which may become the model for social distancing in beaches.

Sanitizers in Santorini

For those set to visit the islands of Greece soon, find joy in the fact that the country allows visitors to lounge at its world-famous beaches. Each tourist destination, however, strictly implements safety measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among visitors.

The beaches of Athens nowadays are filled with the smell of disinfectant. Public sunbeds are sprayed with sanitizing solutions after each use.

In Santorini, meanwhile, transparent partitions have been set up to protect beachgoers from each other. The beaches also implement crowd control by enforcing a maximum ratio of 40 people per 1,000 sqm of beach area. Coupled with flying drones reminding people to maintain social distancing, these measures will surely help people stay safe by the seaside.

Solitary sports in Spain

A country hit hard by the pandemic, Spain is cautiously reclaiming its tourism industry at the beaches. The government is planning to finish lockdown restrictions by the end of June, but several pools and beaches have been allowed to operate already. These tourist spots, however, implement a strict protocol of usage by appointment to limit guests. Pools, in particular, have to be cleaned thoroughly at least three times a day and can only operate at maximum 30% capacity.

Sports can be enjoyed at the beaches, but should only be carried out by solitary players. Physical contact remains prohibited among beach goers. Hotels and resorts are also gradually resuming operations, provided that their common spaces remain closed off to the public.

The design firm Nuova Neon Group 2 has come up with designs for plexiglass booths to enforce social distancing at beaches.

Personal protection in Portugal

This European country takes a more participative approach when it comes to enforcing social distancing at the beaches. The Portuguese Agency for the Environment, a division under the local government, created the app Info Praia to allow beachgoers to check for themselves the real-time occupancy rate of various beaches. Through their mobile phones, visitors can determine if it’s a safe day to go to the beach before they actually head out from their homes.

People are also reminded frequently to keep at least six feet (1.80 m) space between groups. Gatherings and group sports remain prohibited. While there are no drones to keep you in line here, it’s up to each beachgoer to ensure their safety and security under the sun.

Isolation booths of Italy

One of the hardest-hit nations by the Corona virus, Italy uses its famous design flair to protect its residents from the disease. Private beaches across the country are coming up with their own ways to enforce social distancing and prevent the spread of pathogens among beachgoers.

Porto Cesareo, dubbed “the Carribean” of the Italian region, spread out deck-chairs and umbrellas to keep visitors distant from each other. Ropes also keep the visitors separated and allow beachgoers to sunbathe in safety. Queuing in restaurants and bars along the beach remain prohibited. As a solution to this, private resorts deliver food orders directly to the customer’s umbrella.

Designers in Italy have also come up with innovative solutions to beach safety in the new normal. The firm Nuova Neon Group 2, for instance, has released designs for a plexiglass booth that can be used in beaches. Each booth would measure 4.50 meters x 4.50 meters in size, with a height of 2.0 meters. The booths would allow beachgoers to enjoy the beach and be fully protected by transparent partitions.

The partitions are modular in design and can be used together with deck chairs and umbrellas for the ultimate beach furniture set amidst the pandemic.

Through a cellphone app, beachgoers in Portugal can determine the number of people visiting beaches on a particular day.

Braving the beaches

While the beaches in our country are yet to open to tourists, many are already excited to go back to the salty waters.

If you’re one of those planning to visit the beach after the quarantine, continue to practice safety measures to prevent yourself and others from getting sick on vacation.

While we can resume our lives in the new normal era, we must continue to be cautious and mindful of our activities. This way, we can all enjoy the surf and sand without having to risk our lives in the process.

Sources:

https://www.weforum.org

https://www.smithsonianmag.com

NuovaNeon Group 2 FB page

Andrea Piacquadio and Herman.io via pexels.com

Fabrizio Marzano and Bacino Grande