One of the few states to remain closed for swimming, New York, took a significant step toward reopening pools Thursday.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that he will turn over the decision on when to open public swimming pools to local governments, as five of the state’s 10 regions have advanced to Phase 3 of the state’s COVID-19 recovery plan, NY Forward.
Many areas remain stuck in Phase 2, including New York City, Long Island, the region around the capital Albany, the Hudson Valley and Western New York. Much of the middle of the state, however, is on to Phase 3.
Cuomo’s office published (pdf) “Interim Guidance for Pools and Recreational Aquatic Spray Grounds” Thursday, but he said that the final say will belong to local authorities.
“Local governments will have to use their judgment here,” Cuomo said. “They have the test at a and should be studying it. We can see where the positive (COVID-19) cases are coming from, so if you’re in a (hot spot) neighborhood, don’t open the pools. I understand everyone wants to swim, but everyone also doesn’t want to see a spike in COVID again.”
Areas of Virginia remain slow to reopen, but there are glimmers of hope. Richmond will be able to open swimming pools Friday as it enters Phase 2, however they are limited to exercise and instruction classes with strict prohibitions on sharing equipment. Northern Virginia is in the same boat, though the City of Alexandria is not yet opening its public pools.
Among the other limits set by the state of Virginia in Phase 2 are no more than three swimmers per lane/diving area, 10 feet of physical distance at all times, hand sanitizing stations, regular disinfecting of furniture and surfaces, masks for all staff (except for “lifeguards responding to distressed swimmers”), and health screening prior to entry of the facility.
As Iowa progresses through its COVID-19 reopening, many businesses were allowed Wednesday to open at full capacity. That step allows swimming pools to open for the first time Friday. Pools, according to Gov. Kim Reynolds, will be subject to public health guidelines. Pools in Minnesota were allowed to reopen Wednesday.
In Arizona, Phoenix has announced that it will keep its 29 city pools and splash pads closed for the summer, but other large cities are opening. AZ Central has a look at which cities are opening and which are not. Las Vegas is aiming for next Monday, June 15, to reopen most of its city pools, with capacity limitations and reserved times. Omaha announced Thursday that it will not open swimming pools this summer.
Swimming Through a Pandemic
The postponements and cancellations wrought by COVID-19 haven’t just affected the Olympics and the ranks of elite swimmers. They’ve trickled down to neighborhood clubs and summer youth leagues, affecting thousands of recreational and competitive swimmers alike. Here is some of our coverage of COVID-19’s effect on the American summer swimming calendar.
- Washington Pools to Reopen Immediately after Change in Policy
- Reopening Roundup: New Jersey Sets June 22 as Pool Reopening Date
- Reopening Roundup: More States Opening for Swimming
- David Marsh & Team Elite Return to the Pool: ‘It Was Pretty Emotional Yesterday’
- Connecticut Swimmer Launches Petition to Reopen Pools
- As More States Reopen Pools for Summer, Obstacles Remain
- California to Reopen Pools in Phase 3 As Soon As June 12
- Olympic Swimmers To President Trump: For Safety Sake, Help Get Pools Reopened
- USA Swimming California LSCs Pen Letter to Governor Requesting Pools Open
- Summer Leagues Cancel in Illinois, Missouri and Tennessee; On Hold in Delaware
- Summer Leagues Cancel in Ohio, Nebraska; California Fights To Open Pools
- Northern Virginia Swimming League Cancels Season Officially, But Unofficial Meets Might Go On
- Decisions Loom in Several States to Determine Fate of Summer Swimming
- ‘Tremendously Difficult’ Decisions Loom for Summer Swimming Clubs
Resources for returning to the pool in the COVID-19 era
- COVID-19 Pools Guidance Updated By CDC On “Healthy Environments & Operations”
- Chlorine Not a Guaranteed Answer to Covid-19; Detailed Protocols The Way to Go, Says Expert
- USA Swimming Unveils Road to Competition Roadmap For Summer Return
- Pool Water Unlikely to Spread Coronavirus But Facility Environments Need Careful Handling, Says Expert
- Swim Practice Social Distancing Protocol
- The Worries and Concerns of Lap Swimming When Pools Open
- Proper Ways for Teams and Athletes to Resume Training (USA Swimming)
- Is the Water Safe From Coronavirus? Considerations for Return to the Pool
- Pools and Swimming: Getting Back in the Water Safely
- Coronavirus And Swimmers: CDC Issues Guidance On Water Transmission & COVID-19
As far as I know NYC is still in Phase I. The state of NJ is set to enter Phase II on June 22. It may be that NYC will do the same since we share a very porous border economically and in terms of transportation with North Jersey.