Soaking away the lockdown blues

Aucklanders dying for a warm soak are returning to hot springs under alert level two.

Parakai Springs operations manager Mark Dennis said the complex, near Helensville, was ready to re-open late last week, with social distancing measures in place.

One group will be allowed through the foyer at a time, with contactless service and a limit of 100 people in the complex.

Customers can scan a QR code to enter contract tracing details, while they line up for entry.

“A well-chlorinated pool is sterile all the time so there would be no risk of any viruses surviving in the pool,” said Mr Dennis.

High-contact surfaces in other parts of the complex, along with the bathrooms, would also receive extra cleaning throughout the day.

On weekends, a morning and afternoon “session” will run to allow staff to complete a full clean between.

While the pools have been closed, routine maintenance was completed early and all staff kept their jobs.

“The place is looking extra clean,” Mr Dennis said.

Tasks such as painting the seat benches are normally difficult to organise with patrons using them every day from 10am.

“It’s been a good opportunity for us to get that stuff knocked out.”

Those hanging out for a hoon on the hydroslides have just a little longer to wait, they will re-open on May 22.

Meanwhile Miranda Hot Springs, just south of Auckland, is still closed because it uses this time of year to work on renovations.

Regular pool user Chaz Murray is looking forward to taking his eight-year-old daughter back there.

“She’d never get out if she didn’t have to.”