Community associations are encouraged to follow state and federal orders when considering whether … [+]
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Lockdown fatigue is on the rise across the country as warmer weather is luring people to beaches and parks. But is there a way for condominium communities and homeowners associations to safely reopen swimming pools without risking a flare-up of the coronavirus? The Community Associations Institute (CAI) has released pool guidelines that communities can follow while balancing what residents want and what government officials allow.
“We know that swimming pools are a quintessential summertime destination for community associations, and pools represent a gathering place where residents get to know each other and build community spirit,” said Dawn Bauman, CAI’s senior vice president of government and public affairs. “As an organization representing more than 45,000 members, CAI and its membership have been working to offer solutions, guidance and care to the more than 73.5 million Americans and millions around the world living in community associations impacted by COVID-19.”
CAI has addressed numerous questions from condo and HOA board members and community managers on the topic of opening or reopening neighborhood pools during the pandemic. According to CAI, community associations should follow state and federal orders when considering whether they can and should open the community pool.
“The real issue is compliance,” said Scott Carpenter, a shareholder and managing partner at Carpenter Hazlewood in Phoenix and a fellow in CAI’s College of Community Association Lawyers, adding: “Can associations do it in a way where they comply with federal and states restrictions and follow public health recommendations?”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that there is currently no evidence that the coronavirus can spread to people through the water in pools, hot tubs, spas or water playgrounds. The agency says proper operation and disinfection of pools, hot tubs or water playgrounds should inactivate the coronavirus in the water.
Apartment complexes and homeowners associations are urged to follow these CDC cleaning guidelines:
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at least daily and shared objects each time they are used. These surfaces could include handrails, slides and structures for climbing or playing; lounge chairs, tabletops, pool noodles and kickboards; door handles and surfaces of restrooms, hand-washing stations, diaper-changing stations and showers.
- Consult with the company or engineer that designed the aquatic venue to decide which disinfectant products approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are best for your aquatic venue.
- Set up a system so that furniture such as lounge chairs that needs to be cleaned and disinfected is kept separate from already cleaned and disinfected furniture.
- Label containers for used equipment that has not yet been cleaned and disinfected and containers for cleaned and disinfected equipment.
- Launder towels and clothing according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Use the warmest appropriate water temperature and dry items completely.
- Protect shared furniture, equipment, towels and clothing that have been cleaned and disinfected from becoming contaminated before use.
- Ensure safe and correct use and storage of disinfectants, including storing products securely away from children.
Swimming pools can create challenges for social distancing. The CDC recommends avoiding group events, gatherings or meetings in and out of the water if social distancing of at least 6 feet between people who don’t live together cannot be maintained.
“We are going to use pool passes to regulate how many people come in,” said Wendy Taylor, general manager at South Riding Proprietary, a homeowners association in South Riding, Virginia. “There will be two-hour appointments where only 50 people can use the pool at one time. After that period, all residents will leave the area and the pool will be cleaned.”
Taylor added, “We are marking the waiting line to enter into the pool in 6-foot increments to comply with social distancing and removing at least half of our pool furniture.”
She said reducing pool hours to allow for extra time to clean the pool is another safety option.
For the 2020 swim season, CAI said experts also recommend implementing a no-guest policy, as well as eliminating pool parties, games, swim lessons, swim meets and water aerobics.