With the arrival of summer, many people turn to a river, a beach or a swimming pool to stay cool during the hottest months of the year.
While it’s fun to celebrate the summer and enjoy water with your family and friends, it’s also important to continue to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and protect yourself and your family. Currently the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that there is no evidence that COVID-19 can be transmitted to people through recreational water.
The concern about gathering at a swimming pool or beach is the close concentration of people and the chance of passing germs through shared items. Before you jump back in the pool, follow these guidelines from the CDC to help you and your family safely enjoy water fun.
Know When To Go and When To Stay Home
If you have any symptoms of COVID-19, have tested positive for COVID-19 or were exposed to someone with COVID-19 within the last 14 days, do not go to a swimming pool or beach. Please speak with your doctor about the right time to stop self-isolation.
Wear Cloth Face Coverings When Possible
When possible, wear a face covering when you are out of the water. This is a key practice during times when physical distancing is difficult to maintain. Do not wear face coverings in the water, as it would make breathing difficult.
Keep Washing Those Hands
Whether you decide to swim or stay out of the water, it’s critical to wash your hands often, even when you are outside. Keep alcohol-based hand sanitizer with you if you will not be able to wash your hands with soap and water. Keep in mind that it is important to wash your hands again after touching surfaces that others have touched, including beach toys, lounge chairs, pool noodles, kickboards and slides.
This Isn’t The Summer To Teach Kids to Share Pool Toys
To avoid the spread of germs, make sure to bring your own towels and toys. Be sure that no one is sharing goggles or snorkel masks. Bring along alcohol-based sanitizing wipes to periodically wipe down kickboards, pool toys and goggles. Take time to wipe down toys throughout the day to keep them clean. When you get home, be sure to wash any towels in hot water and then dry on high heat or in the sunshine.
Follow Social Distancing Practices
Continue to maintain social distancing even at the beach or the pool. When possible, stay at least 6 feet away from other people. Just like grocery stores and other public spaces, some swimming pools will have signs and markings to encourage social distancing practices. But, even if there aren’t signs, please try to leave ample space between groups to cut down the chance of sharing germs.
You can definitely enjoy the water and warm weather while protecting you and your family members. Educate your children about safe practices and basic hygiene so they know what to expect during a family outing. Parents can also be great models when demonstrating how to wash hands and adhere to social distancing practices.
