Alabama has become the latest state to start loosening coronavirus restrictions, with pools and gyms allowed to re-open under social distancing guidelines.
ABCNews reports that Alabama Governor Kay Ivey announced last week that the state’s “Safer at Home” order would begin to loosen restrictions. Bars, restaurants and breweries are able to reopen as of May 11. Gyms, pools and athletic facilities were also allowed to reopen, along with ‘close contact’ service providers like barber shops, hair salons and tattoo parlors.
ABC reports that night clubs, theaters, and bowling alleys remain closed for the time being.
Like many other states, Alabama will require reopened pools to only operate at 50% capacity for the time being. That conceivably allows patrons to social distance and slow the spread of the coronavirus. Alabama is also requiring six-foot distances between beachgoers. The state’s beaches have been open for two weeks now.
Alabama has been relatively hard-hit by COVID-19, the disease associated with the novel 2019 coronavirus. The state has had 10,665 positive cases of coronavirus and 433 deaths. That’s similar to neighboring Mississippi (10,093 cases; 466 deaths) but lower than Georgia (34,731 cases, 1,464 deaths), based on CDC figures.
Other States that have eased restrictions on pools:
- Wyoming – 1 person per lane
- Alaska – 50% capacity
- Texas – 25% capacity
- Arkansas – 50% capacity (May 22)
- Florida – some localities have allowed pools to begin to reopen under a patchwork of restrictions
- Arizona – 50% capacity (May 15)
- South Carolina – 10 or fewer occupants
Orlando area local communities opened this week . Lap swimming one swimmer per lane, bathing keeping social distancing !
Ohio is opening swimming pools on May 26th.
https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2020/05/14/coronavirus-ohio-what-summer-look-like-amid-covid-19-dewine/5190554002/
Riverside County in Southern California appears to have opened pools as well, but some conflicting info is out there, too.
Thanks for keeping tabs on this info, we can use it to better inform the decisions makers in our local areas. The NY Times is keeping a list of what’s open though it’s not completely comprehensive or up to date. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/us/states-reopen-map-coronavirus.html
My local pool in north East Tennessee is opening with 1 per lane and you have to reserve hour times slots to swim in advance.
Technically, pools in Alabama were never officially closed. Almost all municipalities, organizations, and Universities closed them of their own accord.
Starting May 15th – 25% capacity for gyms and pools. Lap Swim only, no recreational or open swim