The temperatures continue to rise in Arizona and Valley residents are seeking ways to stay out of the heat and keep cool. This leads to individuals flocking to pools to escape the high temps. However, with COVID-19 still a prevalent issue and there being many misunderstandings surrounding the virus, it can be difficult to know what is safe and what isn’t when it comes to enjoying your summer by the poolside.

CDC Health Guidelines Around the Pool

According to the CDC, there is currently no evidence to suggest that COVID-19 can spread from person to person via recreational water. However, it is still important to follow social distancing practices and take other precautions in order to keep yourself, as well as those around you, safe and healthy. On land, it can be easier to practice social distancing by putting tables and chairs far apart, marking spaces on the ground, and more. However, with being in the water in a pool, this can be more difficult to do. With this, the need to be aware and responsible individually is crucial to practicing proper social distancing in the pool.

On top of this, whenever individuals are not swimming, it’s important to continue to wear a facemask when laying out poolside. This will help to ensure that you keep yourself, as well as others around you, safe. Just be sure to wear sunscreen to avoid a facemask tan line! 

Although it is polite to share, it’s important to remember that we should refrain from sharing items during this time. For families, parents should keep a close watch on their kids to ensure they are using their own toys, goggles, snorkel masks, and more. Germs can easily spread from these surfaces and put individuals at risk of contracting the virus. 

Pool Safety Tips

At our P.B. Bell communities, we are doing all that we can to keep our residents safe and healthy. This includes creating and following specific pool safety guidelines to be in compliance with the state mandate. With these pool rules in place, we request residents maintain social distancing while enjoying the pool area, prohibit groups of 10 or more to congregate in or near the pool, and request that residents do not move pool furniture. This is due to the fact that our pool furniture is strategically placed and positioned to uphold social distancing standards. Additionally, we have also increased our cleaning procedures to ensure the pool space and the various surfaces remain clean. 

The pool offers the perfect opportunity for Valley residents to escape the heat this summer. Although this season may look a little different due to COVID-19, individuals can still enjoy the pool and the sunshine safely by continuing to practice social distancing and following pool rules and safety guidelines.