As the weather heats up, residents may be looking to cool off in community pools, and Riverside County has issued some guidelines to help keep us safe while having fun.
The guidelines, which were developed with input from Riverside County Public Health Officer Dr. Cameron Kaiser and the Department of Environmental Health, are not requirements.
"While we are staying in place, we want residents to benefit from as much safe activity outdoors as possible," noted Board Chair V. Manuel Perez, Fourth District Supervisor, in a press release. "These guidelines are a sensible way to do that with community swimming pools."
• Six feet separation should be implemented, and swimmers should limit themselves to lanes.
• No large groups or pool parties. Residents of the same household may swim together.
• Lounge chairs and/or tables should be properly distanced. If they cannot be distanced, they should be secured and stored.
• Residents should wear a cloth face covering when traveling through common areas of the property where it may not be possible to maintain physical distancing, including to and from the pool, barbeque area and shared restrooms.
• Residents should bring hand sanitizer, or it should be provided by pool operator.
• Operators should frequently check shared restrooms to ensure they are stocked with hand soap and paper towels.
• Operators should use scheduled time slots on the busiest days.
• Operators should close the spa or limit use to 1 person or household at a time (post signage).
• Create a written disinfection plan that identifies frequently touched surfaces, a schedule, and designated person to complete disinfection tasks.
• Use an EPA-approved disinfectant on commonly touched surfaces, including but not limited to: gate, latch, tables, chairs, drinking fountain, pool handrails and countertops. In shared restrooms: door handles, light switches, faucets, latches and dispensers.
• Post signage reminding residents to wash their hands frequently with soap and water, cover coughs and sneezes, and to avoid the pool area if they are experiencing symptoms of illness, including a fever of 100°F or above, sore throat, runny nose, chills, not feeling well, sneezing, coughing, abdominal pain or diarrhea.
Those seeking more information may do so here.
