CDC Releases COVID-19 Pandemic Pool Guidelines For Public Aquatic Venues

As states begin to reopen in the middle of the novel coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a list of considerations for people itching to beat the heat at public aquatic venues like pools and water playgrounds.

In a statement on its website, the CDC said that there is no evidence to suggest that the novel coronavirus can spread from person to person through the water in public aquatic venues. It is still asking everyone to continue observing social distancing guidelines and other precautions to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Here’s what the CDC said swimmers and staff should be doing:

Protect Yourself In and Out of the Water

People are being asked to continue using personal protective equipment, like masks, right before entering the water. The CDC is advising that cloth face coverings for the general public are sufficient but they should not be worn while swimming.

Social distancing is still encouraged. Even in the water, the CDC recommends being at least six feet away from other individuals.

Don’t share goggles and other swimming equipment with other people. The CDC even discourages sharing of swimming equipment that’s difficult to disinfect among members of the same household.

Protect Others

The CDC continues to encourage proper coughing etiquette. Cover coughs and sneezes with the arm or the elbow to control the spread of droplets from the mouth.

If you already feel sick, don’t go to the pool. The CDC recommends isolation for everyone who has symptoms of, has had exposure to someone with or has tested positive for COVID-19.

Disinfect Frequently

Even if the water is properly chlorinated, the CDC is still asking everyone to wash their hands often and after coughs, sneezes and touching surfaces with frequent skin contact.

Facility operators are also asked to disinfect equipment like handrails, pool chairs and pool noodles at least once a day.

Equipment like pool noodles and kickboards should be disinfected each time they are used. Enough of these should be provided to minimize sharing.

Have Healthy Operations

The CDC is encouraging everyone who uses pool facilities to read the rules of local health officials and the facility itself.

Lifeguards will not be the ones enforcing public safety rules. The CDC is recommending that the job should be assigned to a separate staff member.

Prepare for the Worst

Instead of a whistle, swimmers will likely hear a public address system instead. The CDC is asking everyone to remain vigilant.

If someone from the pool gets sick, the CDC is asking patrons to immediately submit themselves to monitoring with local health officials. The venue management should close down temporarily and thoroughly disinfect their facility.

The CDC continues to urge people to be careful. According to John Hopkins University, the U.S. currently has more than 1.5 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 with almost 94,000 related deaths.

It’s beginning to look like summer and people will be flocking to beaches, pools and other water venues to beat the heat as the United States begins to reopen recreational facilities in limited capacities.