COVID-19 Soars, Swimming Pool Rentals In Spain Rise

JAKARTA - Cooling off in sweltering mid-July in central Spain no longer has to have your own pool, or risk contracting COVID-19 in overcrowded public swimming facilities, said Aura Cenet.

The 21-year-old waitress from Madrid and three friends rented a private pool at a house in Arroyomolinos, a town 28 km from the Spanish capital, via the Swimmy app.

"We're safer here, without other people disturbing. This is a good idea. I don't think I'll be going back to the public swimming pools in the city again," Cenet said as he relaxed in the pool.

The pandemic has lifted businesses such as the creation and maintenance of private swimming pools as many people avoid public pools and beaches.

Fluidra, the world's largest maker of swimming pool equipment, in May posted a profit of 40 times. The Spanish company said demand for residential swimming pools is likely to remain high.

Pool owners who use the Swimmy app can earn 1,200 euros (around Rp. 20.5 million) per month from their pool rentals, said Estefania Leiva, communications director at Swimmy's Spain branch. Swimmy was founded in 2017 in France.

Rental rates in the Madrid area generally range from 12-30 euros per person for half a day.

"Although (COVID-19) restrictions have been relaxed this year, in May and June the number of bookings we received more than doubled compared to last year," said Leiva.

A spike in new infections this month has forced a number of regions to impose restrictions in recent weeks.

He added that 150,000 app users can choose between 3,500 private pools in Spain and France. Swimmy also operates in Italy, Germany, and the United States.

Vanessa Ghirardato, owner of the pool that Cenet and her friends rent, started using the app last year.

"I rarely enjoy swimming pools... so if I only use it for a few hours, I want other people to enjoy it too and the money flows because these kinds of pools are expensive to maintain," said Ghirardato.