People in the region are being asked to do their Christmas/New Year's swim
on different days across the festive period.
Despite the restrictions this year a number of virtual swims will be taking
place over the holidays at the usual lakes, and rivers for local charities,
however, Water Safety Ireland is warning against large groups arriving for
swims at the same time.
They are encouraging people to still participate in this tradition but to
schedule them on different days with no more than 15 people at a location at
one time.
They also say that each group should assign a safety officer out of the
group, and arrive prepared with warm clothes and drinks for afterwards, and
wear a wetsuit in the water if possible.
John Leech is the CEO of Water Safety Ireland and he says swimmers should
also limit their time in the water: