Public Pools Around PA: Latest Health Guidelines On Openings

Justin Heinze
Updated ·2 min read

PENNSYLVANIA — Warmer weather seems here to stay in Pennsylvania as summertime rapidly approaches. And with the heat come questions about public pools, and the possibility of reopening facilities in the midst of the coronavirus shutdowns.

In an emailed statement to Patch, the Pennsylvania Department of Health said that they were working on establishing their own specific guidelines for public pools. None yet exist.

In the meantime, they referred any facilities in the state looking for guidance moving forward to review the CDC guidelines.

While state guidelines have not yet been published, Montgomery County Commissioner Valerie Arkoosh said that public pools will not be able to open under the middle "yellow" phase of reopening laid out by the governor's office last month. Much of the central and western part of the state is now in this yellow phase, while the southeast remains in the red.

To move to the final phase of reopening in Gov. Wolf's plan, the green stage, counties must meet numerous requirements, including having an average of less than 50 daily cases over a 14 day period.

The CDC guidelines do not provide guidance on when pools should open, and they indicated that this decision should be made by authorities. Instead, the guidelines provide a glimpse at what a very different, mid or post-pandemic public pool experience might look like in many parts of the state, even once counties do reach the green phase.

Here's a look at the CDC guidance to public pools:

  • Facilities should encourage patrons to wash their hands often and to cover all sneezes

  • Masks should be worn as often as feasible, but not in the water

  • Outreach to patrons regarding best practices, when to stay home, what coronavirus symptoms look like, and more

  • Hand sanitizer, soap, paper towels, tissues, and no-touch trash cans are crucial

  • Posted signs, and regularly broadcasting announcements, about how to stop the spread of COVID-19

Some of the guidelines resemble the restrictions already in place at grocery stores and other essential businesses that have remained open. Facilities are encouaged to stagger the use of communal spaces, such as the actual pool or clubhouse.

Lane lines, or tape on the decks, floors, sidewalks, or other markings in the pool, could be utilized to help maintain social distancing among patrons.

The guidelines also state that parents should consider if their children are capable of obeying social distancing rules before bringing them to the pool.

You can view the full guidelines from the CDC for public pools here.

This article originally appeared on the Phoenixville Patch