Before you dive in, dip into CDC guidelines
Swimmers should follow practices already in place Jayme Deerwester
Looking forward to hitting the local public swimming pool for the first time this summer? Prepare to put a face mask in your tote bag, although you won’t need to wear it in the water.
On Wednesday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published new guidelines for operating swimming pools during the coronavirus pandemic. The documentation arrived just a few days before Memorial Day weekend, when many outdoor pools typically open for the summer season.
“There is no evidence that the virus that causes COVID-19 can be spread to people through the water in pools, hot tubs, spas, or water play areas,” the CDC said on its website. “Proper operation and maintenance (including disinfection with chlorine and bromine) of these facilities should inactivate the virus in the water.”
Nevertheless, the agency said, “While there is ongoing community spread of the virus that causes COVID-19, it is important for individuals as well as owners and operators of these facilities to take steps to ensure health and safety.”
The CDC tailored the following instructions toward pools operated by local governments, apartment complexes, homeowners associations, schools, water parks and gyms. The guidelines do not specifically apply to private pools or those operated by hotels, cruise lines and other travel-related businesses.
Among the CDC’S suggestions:
Mask up – until you dive in
The CDC suggested that pool operators “encourage the use of cloth face coverings as feasible,” noting that they are “most essential in times when physical distancing is difficult. However, it advised that staff tell swimmers not to wear masks in the water because it is difficult to breathe through them while wet.
6 feet apart, in and out of water
It also suggested that pool operators change the layout of their seating areas so that patrons can remain 6 feet away from anyone outside their household.
While in the water, swimmers should also be advised to keep the same distance from anyone they are not quarantining with.
The CDC did not address how to socially distance lap swimmers but pool operators could take a page from the guidelines published by USA Swimming, the sport’s national governing body, which suggested limiting swimmers to one or two per lane and starting them from opposite ends of the pool.
Parents should consider whether their children can or will stay 6 feet away from people they don’t live with. If not, they should not take them to the pool.
The only exceptions to the social-distancing rule, the CDC said, should be in
See SWIMMERS, Page 3B