LOUISVILLE, Ky. — LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WHAS11) – Those looking for ways to beat the heat will have more options as pools will be allowed to reopen at the end of the month, according to Governor Beshear’s office.
Public and private pools looking to reopen on June 29 must meet state guidelines to prevent further spread of COVID-19. This also includes social distancing.
For example, officials say, public swimming and bathing facilities should take the water surface and divide by 36 square feet. That number is the maximum pool capacity. If you were to have a 2,000 square foot pool it would have a maximum capacity of 55 people to comply with social distancing standards of 6-feet on all sides.
Officials say every swimming facility should be calculated at the same fashion. If the facilities have chairs on deck, they’re also recommending them to be spaced 6-feet apart.
Here are some other recommendations:
- Public swimming and bathing facilities must eliminate the use of any waiting areas.
- Public swimming and bathing facilities must eliminate use of saunas and steam rooms.
- Public swimming and bathing facilities must ensure visitors do not congregate in or around the premises.
- Public swimming and bathing facilities must, to the greatest extent practicable, modify traffic flow to minimize contacts between employees and visitors.
- Public swimming and bathing facilities must prohibit gatherings or meetings of employees of 50 or more during work hours.
This applies to public facilities such as communities, subdivisions, apartment complexes, condominiums, clubs, camps, schools, institutions, parks, mobile home parks, hotels, and recreational areas. This does not include pools at private residences.
Employees who work at these facilities are advised to wear face masks and other PPE whenever they are within 6-feet of others. The only exception are lifeguards when they are not on duty.
The governor’s office also notes that if any of these facilities offer food or concessions, they must follow the Healthy at Work guidelines as well.
To read the full list of requirements for public pools reopening, click here.