There was some good news out of Ohio today, as Governor Mike DeWine proclaimed that the state’s pools are able to reopen on Tuesday, May 26th.
As stated in the presser, DeWine tweeted out, ‘pools can reopen on May 26 if they are regulated by local health departments. This guidance is not for water parks or amusement parks. These will be addressed in the near future.’
Of note, it is still up to pool operators as to whether or not they want to open. If they choose to open, then May 26th represents the earliest date they can do so.
The state has also said that low and no-contact sports like golf, tennis, baseball, softball, and swimming, can reopen on May 26th. That means there is a possibility for summer leagues to happen in Ohio.
During the press conference, it was specific that pools must adhere to the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) COVID-19 considerations. Per the CDC’s website, these guidelines include some of the following:
- Encouraging all staff, patrons, and swimmers to wash their hands often and cover their coughs and sneezes.
- Posting signs about how to stop the spread of COVID-19, properly wash hands, promote everyday protective measures, and properly use a cloth face coverings in highly visible locations (for example, at deck entrances and at sinks).
- Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces at least daily and shared objects each time they are used.
- Labeling containers for used equipment that has not yet been cleaned and disinfected and containers for cleaned and disinfected equipment.
- Increasing introduction and circulation of outdoor air as much as possible by opening windows and doors, using fans, or other methods. However, do not open windows and doors if doing so poses a safety risk to staff, patrons, or swimmers.
- Designating a staff member to be responsible for responding to COVID-19 concerns. All staff should know who this person is and how to contact him or her.
- Avoiding group events, gatherings, or meetings both in and out of the water if social distancing of at least 6 feet between people who don’t live together cannot be maintained.
DeWine also quoted the CDC’s stance on coronavirus-transmission via water, “There is no evidence that the virus that causes COVID-19 can be spread to people through the water in pools, hot tubs, spas, or water play areas. Proper operation/maintenance (disinfection w/ chlorine/bromine) of these facilities should inactivate the virus in water.”
Pools can reopen on May 26 if they are regulated by local health departments. This guidance is not for water parks or amusement parks. These will be addressed in the near future. pic.twitter.com/3h9DJdLBwS
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) May 14, 2020
Additional states with announcements on pool openings:
- Alabama
- Alaska – 50% capacity
- Arizona – 50% capacity (May 15)
- Arkansas – 50% capacity (May 22)
- Florida – some localities have allowed pools to begin to reopen under a patchwork of restrictions
- Georgia
- South Carolina
- Texas – 25% capacity
- Wyoming – 1 person per lane
IN pools able to open 5/24 as per IN “Back on Track” guidelines. Fort Wayne Summer Swim & Dive League is ON!
Ten kids per pool? Thanks for nothing Dewine
How do 10 kids overload a 50 meter complex?
But softball games are ok????
Awesome! I would take it a step (or 3) further and pack swimmers in five to a lane in an 8-lane pool if it was up to me and run practices all day. It’s not like anybody can do anything about it because even the police know the China Virus was a political hoax. Even “out of touch” USA Swimming leadership isn’t qualified to be telling programs what to do. Swim programs need to be more like Elon Musk (Tesla) who said “screw you” to the state of California and opened up his plant full throttle. What are they going to do???
Please get educated.
Educated??? For 99% of the people out there you had a better chance of being struck by lightning than dying from Covid 19. And we trashed our whole economy for that. How’s that for being educated…
I can’t believe I don’t have to pay for this incredible level of entertainment. Thank you SwimSwam for keeping these boards free
Currently more than 0.2% of NYC have been “struck by lightning“ and it is ramping up.
Horrid!
If you want to quarantine yourself go ahead. When will you come out? The virus isn’t going away. Need more testing? There have been plenty of random and whole population tests done all showing 10X or more actual cases than reported. Mortality rate in the general population 0.2% to 0.8%; <0.2% in relatively healthy under 65. More tests won’t change that meaningfully. Need contact tracing? How does that work when 50% of cases are asymptomatic? It can’t. Worried about hospitals being overrun? Not likely unless a million at risk people start taking mass transit without warning of the virus. European countries and southern states are opening without problems. So. Protect the at-risk and let everyone else take care of themselves… Read more »
Thanks for the info MD Swimdad. It was more detailed response than what I have the patience to express to these insane panic stricken people that have allowed our economy to be ruined, costing us millions of jobs and drastically altering our way of life for nothing.
Our state governor is only looking at the biggest city in our state, which has so many cases…but the rest of the state has much much less. He is making the entire state go along with this big city. Our hospitals in our region are pretty much empty. We have a state of art isolation ward as well, but empty. However this virus scare is keeping other (non-Covid19) patients away from the hospitals. If golfing is allowed for the entire time ( I am sure), then outdoor pools can open with some guidance and rules about social distancing. Doing what we can do right now is important. Kids need to go back to school. If we keep sheltering, then they… Read more »
I agree with you, Jolynn Swimmer. Isn’t it ridiculous how the politicians on the West Coast, Northeast and the big cities think they can dictate how the rest of the country lives and the values we have???
In an ironic turn of events, Covid-19 is weighing heavily on Mr Piano, just as he has done to so many towards the end of a 200 fly.
Reliable Intelligence scouts ( ie non FBI ) informed the Governor of masses of white people who had stealthily swum down the Ohio & were camped in Cairo . Operation Swim South To Freedom was about to launch on the Mississippi. .
Swift action by the Governor !
Ohio also said they are allowing “non- and low-contact sports leagues” to start back up.
What is defined by “low”? And theoretically this would mean they’re allowing swim meets to start back up, right?
For your ‘low-contact sport league’ question – My son’s youth baseball league sent around guidelines for when (if) they return – including maintaining 6-feet distancing. Not quite sure what the heck that’s going to mean for tagging runners, fielding balls in close proximity…not to mention the dugout.
Delaware announced beaches and community pools will open Friday, May 22nd. In a head scratching restriction, lessons and swim team practices will still be prohibited. Virginia opening tomorrow for lap swimming
http://www.wboc.com/story/42131456/delaware-governor-announces-beaches-closed-by-coronavirus-will-reopen-in-time-for-memorial-day-weekend
Virginia not just for lovers, it’s opening for swimmers tomorrow. Outdoor pools, one swimmer per lane.
https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2020/05/13/its-official-virginia-will-enter-phase-one-on-friday/
https://www.virginia.gov/coronavirus/forwardvirginia/
Under fitness, last bullet under mandatory requirements.
Except for all of NoVA — Fairfax Co, Arlington Co, Loudoun Co, Prince William Co. — at least 2 more week of waiting.
California. Oh no sorry. Happens to have a tyrant as its Gov so no swimming for you.
Stay in your lane and keep politics out please.