Pool Reopening Update for TX and FL

Rev. July 15th, 2020

Creating a Covid-19 Safety Procedure

Do I really need to do this?

Can’t I just look up something online?

You may be asking yourself these questions, and here’s why you should make this right away: because you don’t want Covid-19 to spread at your business!

Creating and implementing a clear set of guidelines for employees and guests to follow regarding Covid-19 safety is important. What should you do to help minimize employee contact with guests? What ways that Covid-19 can spread in pool areas, and how should you minimize risk in those places? Online resources can help, but only you know what will work for your property. Only you know how your employee shifts can be arranged and how to most effectively communicate with your guests. Make sure that there are clear procedures in place at your establishment to help keep your employees and patrons safe!

Poolsure can’t create your procedure for you, but we can give you guidance on what to include in your procedure. All of our recommendations below are based on information published by the CDC and state governments. Choose to implement anything that makes sense for your location, or modify these suggestions to fit your needs.

First of all… are pools safe?

This is a question that potential pool users might ask you, or that you’re asking yourself. The answer is yes — as long as the pool water is properly disinfected and maintenance staff keeps the pool areas clean and sanitized. According to the CDC, there is no evidence that the Covid-19 virus can spread to humans through the use of properly-disinfected pools and spas.

How does Covid-19 spread in pool areas?

To understand how to prevent the spread of this virus, we first have to consider how it is currently being transmitted.

According to the CDC, COVID-19 is primarily spread through respiratory droplets. In pool areas, transmission can occur:

• Between people who are not practicing the recommended 6 ft of social distancing.
• Through inhaling respiratory droplets produced by an infected person while coughing, sneezing, or talking.
• If the pool is not properly sanitized/disinfected, and the virus is not effectively deactivated.

Your guidelines should revolve around how to prevent these scenarios from occurring at your pools.

Here are some questions to help you outline your Covid-19 Safety Procedure:

How will you enforce social distancing at your pools and surrounding areas?

• Consider setting up an appointment system for pool reservations, or figure out an alternate way to stick to max capacity limits (currently at 50%).
• Rearrange pool furniture to accommodate for 6 ft of separation between individuals.
• If you provide pool towels, set up a system to distribute them on an individual or minimal-touch basis.
• Provide masks to pool patrons; encourage masks to be worn when not actively swimming in the water.
• Discourage sharing of pool equipment and toys.

How will you ensure that pool areas are cleaned properly?

• Create a pool cleaning plan. If you are scheduling pool appointments, consider cleaning and disinfecting pool shower areas and bathrooms between each group visit. If you are not scheduling pool appointments, consider setting up preset cleaning intervals throughout the day instead.
• It may be a good idea to close the pool when maintenance staff is cleaning and disinfecting the furniture and equipment.
• List out specific items to clean that might be neglected, such as shared pool equipment and door handles.

How will you ensure that the pool water is being properly sanitized?

• Proper disinfection of pool water happens when chemicals are evenly distributed through the pool. Check daily that pool circulation and filtration systems are functioning at 100%.
• Ensure that pool sanitization chemicals (bleach and acid) are well stocked. Contact us if you are running low and have only 3-4 days of chemicals remaining!
• Use a SpinTouch or DPD test kit to manually test your pool water at least once per day.
• Ensure that FAC and pH levels are within acceptable disinfection ranges:
  pH =  7.2 – 7.8, FAC =  1 – 10 ppm

How will you communicate these guidelines to employees and customers?

• Communicating your guidelines is just as important as creating your guidelines! Plan how to promote accountability within your staff, and how to share these guidelines with customers.
• Post your pool safety notices along with the other safety notices on your website (if possible).
• A checklist of safety guidelines might be helpful for guests.
• During check-in, inform guests about pool safety precautions that are in place.

Additional CDC Guidelines

The CDC has published guidelines aimed at helping pool managers and operators navigate through pool safety during Covid-19. Here are the main points that haven’t been covered above:

• Urge staff and guests to stay home if feeling sick.
• Promote healthy behaviors such as handwashing and mask* usage. (Do not place a cloth covering on children under the age of two or those who cannot remove a covering without help. Do not wear a mask while in the water.)
• Remind patrons about healthy behaviors through emails, PA announcements, and handouts.
• Provide staff and guests with sanitation supplies: hand washing soap, paper towels, garbage cans, hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, etc.
• Create a Covid-19 Response Plan, including:

The CDC also recommends creating a Covid-19 Response Plan in case of emergencies. The following should be included:

• How to isolate a person with symptoms
• Who to call when needed (ex: hospital, clinic)
• How to transport a person from the pool area to the response center
• Wait at least 24 hours before cleaning and sanitizing infected areas

Here are CDC-recommended disinfectants to use against Covid-19.

Poolsure will continue to bring the latest resources and information as the ongoing situation changes. Keep in mind that this is a fluid situation, and information may change. We recommend that you follow official government guidelines for your location as best as you can.

If you have any other questions, please call us or fill out a contact form from this website. 

Stay safe, and keep others safe!
Poolsure Team