Consequences of the corona pandemic Outdoor pools in Bonn to stay closed this summer
Bonn · Outdoor swimming pools in Bonn will not be allowed to open this summer due to the corona pandemic. But Lord Mayor Ashok Sridharan hopes that it might be possible to open indoor swimming pools.
The city expects that outdoor pools will not be able to open this summer season because of the coronavirus. Mayor Ashok Sridharan made the following statement in a press release on Friday afternoon: "This hurts very much, because according to meteorologists it will be a very nice and hot summer. However, I hope that we will be able to open at least the indoor swimming pools, if the current regulations are relaxed and the appropriate conditions are met. We'll have to wait and see."
If the restrictions surrounding corona virus were to be relaxed in the course of the next few weeks in such a way that the operation of outdoor pools or alternatively indoor pools would be possible in the summer months, the pools would be made ready for operation and then they would open, the city continues in the press release. It also mentions that the “Kurzarbeit” (temporary reduction in working hours) for pool employees would then be lifted. Normally, outdoor pools in Bonn would be open from the end of May to the end of August.
The city administration explained that the city's crisis management team had ordered “Kurzarbeit” on Friday for the approximate 40 municipal pool employees effective May 11 to August 31. According to Christoph Busch, chairman of the city employee’s representation, the plan was for employees with children to have their work reduced to 67 percent, and those without children to 60 percent. The city would supplement the net salary to 95 percent, "but before that, the employees would have to use up their accumulated overtime and vacation", Busch said.
As reported, the city is also considering “Kurzarbeit” for employees in the fine arts, such as those in the Beethoven Orchestra. According to Busch, the administration has not yet made such a request to the employee’s representation.
(Orig. text: Philipp Königs / Translation: ck)
