Forty-eight states and the District of Columbia ordered public pool closures when stay-at-home orders were issued in March due to COVID-19. In May, when states began to ease or lift their shutdowns, state and local government officials and public health experts began to grapple with how and when it would be appropriate for their states to safely reopen pools.
By the end of this week, 48 states have entered a reopening phase that allows for pools to operate with specific requirements such as social distancing procedures. A majority of states implemented a 25%–50% capacity requirement, while others placed a maximum number of individuals in a pool facility, regardless of the capacity limit.
When deciding whether to open a pool, community association boards and community managers must weigh the public health and safety risks of their residents; the financial impacts of reopening and new cleaning procedures that should be implemented; and whether they’ll be able to follow specific guidance issued by states. Some state guidelines range from allowing guests and the number of entrances a pool should have to lifeguard safety and how pool decks should be socially distanced. These guidelines and resources can be found here: www.caionline.org/Pages/statecovid19.aspx.
CAI compiled frequently asked questions on reopening community association pools. Experts weighed in on what factors to consider, contracts and insurance to review, and whether residents should be required to sign a waiver.
CAI also created Healthy Communities, a guide based on information developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to help community association board members, community managers, and business partners determine how to safely and effectively operate their communities in a COVID-19 world. This guide offers specific recommendations to consider before reopening community association pools.
Additionally, CAI compiled resources related to local, state, and federal government actions impacting community associations due to COVID-19, as well as guidance, sample forms and documents, and FAQs. Bookmark these pages and return regularly for updates and additional resources— www.caionline.org/coronavirus and www.caionline.org/Pages/statecovid19gov.
For more information on the CDC’s COVID-19 guidelines, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html.
This information is subject to change. It is published with the understanding that CAI is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, medical, or other professional services. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought.
