Will Pools Open This Summer In Illinois?

ILLINOIS — Memorial Day weekend is here, and if this were any other year, Illinois residents would be gearing up for backyard barbecues, summer parties and the reopening of public pools. But coronavirus has changed everything about the way we live our lives, and the unofficial start of summer pool season is no exception.

The state is poised to move into phase 3 of the Restore Illinois reopening plan, but the five-phase plan offers no guidelines on the reopening of public pools, and many park districts and municipalities have either canceled the summer pool season entirely or have yet to make a decision on the fate of their pools.


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Last month, Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said public pools are not safe to use during the coronavirus pandemic — and her reasoning might leave many pool-goers a bit queasy.

Ezike pointed out that IDPH does not regulate pools, but pointed out that microbes can contaminate pool water, which is especially a concern during the coronavirus pandemic.

"Unfortunately, we do know that there is some fecal shedding of this coronavirus," she said.

The difficulty of social distancing at a public pool is another reason she said pools should not reopen right now.

"You would have locker rooms (in) which people would need to change, so you would have more people congregated in the same setting," she said. "That wouldn't be conducive to promoting social distancing and decreasing community spread."

Meanwhile, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control were less concerned with fecal shedding of the virus in swimming pools and said while the virus that causes COVID-19 has been found in feces, it's unclear whether that can transmit coronavirus.

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"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. "Proper operation and maintenance (including disinfection with chlorine and bromine) of these facilities should inactivate the virus in the water."

While community spread of coronavirus is still happening in communities, pool owners, operators and swimmers should take these precautions, the CDC said:

  • Everyone should follow local and state guidance that may determine when and how recreational water facilities may operate.

  • Individuals should continue to protect themselves and others at recreational water venues, both in and out of the water — for example, by practicing social distancing and good hand hygiene.

  • In addition to ensuring water safety and quality, owners and operators of community pools, hot tubs, spas, and water play areas should follow the interim guidance for businesses and employers for cleaning and disinfecting their community facilities.

So far, the Chicago Park District has announced a shortened summer camp season, but like other agencies, it is still awaiting guidelines on whether pools can safely reopen this summer, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Other park districts — like Arlington Heights — have yet to make a decision about whether pools will reopen for summer 2020. Oak Lawn is delaying its pool opening. And some towns, including Elmhurst and Plainfield, have canceled the summer pool season entirely.

University of Chicago chief epidemiologist Dr. Emily Landon told the Tribune she believes that "pools are going to be one of the last places that are going to be allowed to be open."

This article originally appeared on the Chicago Patch