In a Coronavirus Summer, You Can Swim in a Pool
By Wendi Rank
Looking to cool off this summer? While public pools in yellow and green counties can open, doing so may not be easy.
Montgomery County’s website directs residents to COVID-19 guidelines set by the state and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The CDC’s regulations include information on disinfecting, mask requirements, distancing in pools, and more.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health’s guidelines instruct pools to follow the CDC’s recommendations while adhering to Governor Wolf’s Guidelines for Businesses.
Although chlorine kills the coronavirus, children swimming together can still spread the disease, says Dr. Justin Sempsrott, speaking to NBC10 Philadelphia.
Swim clubs, says NBC10 Philadelphia, are facing challenges created by lengthy regulations. While some are modifying their offerings, others are opting not to open. Municipality budgets, decimated by the pandemic, may lack the resources to open government-run pools.
Cheltenham Township has elected to shutter their pools for 2020, while Abington Township is monitoring developments before issuing a verdict.
PaSwimming.com reports swim teams are allowed to operate if a team’s county is in the green phase, but notes several area swim leagues have opted out of competing in 2020.
Guidelines for homeowners’ pools are limited. The CDC recommends avoiding in-home visits with those outside of your household. Governor Wolf’s yellow phase bars groups of 25 or more.
NBC10 Philadelphia reports sales of inflatable pools have increased. Dr. Sempsrott, executive director of Lifeguards Without Borders and an emergency department physician, expressed concern over a potential increase in drownings as a result.
See here for NBC10 Philadelphia’s full report.
The CDC’s Considerations for Aquatic Venues can be found here.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Summer Recreation, Camps, and Pools FAQ sheet, as well as the governor’s Guidelines for Businesses, can be found here.
________________________________________________________________________________________________
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Wendi Rank is a Montgomery County native with a graduate degree from LaSalle University. She has worked as a registered nurse and nurse practitioner in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. She has previously written for the journal Nursing.
________________________________________________________________________________________________
You Might Also Like
Ten Montgomery County High Schools Among Top 50 in Pennsylvania
Stay Connected, Stay Informed
Subscribe for great stories in your community!
"*" indicates required fields
