New Jersey pools will re-open on June 22, which was announced by Gov. Phil Murphy on Monday.
On Tuesday, the guidelines for that re-opening were revealed by the state officials after Murphy announced he was going to sign an executive order that allows community pools to operate beginning June 22.
Because of COVID-19, capacity at New Jersey pools will be limited no 50 percent and swimmers will have to practice social distancing in the water.
State Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli told nj.com that New Jersey pools could reduce capacity by implementing a reservation or pass system or by cutting hours.
Here are the state’s guidelines:
- No pool toys — such as noodles — will be permitted.
- There must be routine cleaning and disinfecting of frequently touched surfaces several times a day.
- Visitors must enter and exit in staggered fashion.
- There must be signs marking off 6 feet of spacing in commonly used areas.
- No children under the age of 2 will have to wear face coverings.
- Lifeguards do not have to wear face coverings.
- There must be signs saying patrons should be on alert for signs of illness and that people should avoid the pool if they are showing COVID-19 symptoms.
- Staff members must be screened for fever and wear gloves when handling food.
- Occupancy in showers and restrooms and other indoor facilities must be limited. Foot coverings must be worn in those areas.
The guidelines came the same day Murphy announced he’s formally lifting the stay-at-home order he instituted March 21 to fight the virus.
Swimming Through a Pandemic
The postponements and cancellations wrought by COVID-19 haven’t just affected the Olympics and the ranks of elite swimmers. They’ve trickled down to neighborhood clubs and summer youth leagues, affecting thousands of recreational and competitive swimmers alike. Here is some of our coverage of COVID-19’s effect on the American summer swimming calendar.
- California to Reopen Pools in Phase 3 As Soon As June 12
- Santa Clara Pools Set to Reopen; Three California Counties Progressing
- Olympic Swimmers To President Trump: For Safety Sake, Help Get Pools Reopened
- Petition Urging Governor Newsom To Open California Pools By Early June Backed By 5 USA Swimming LSCs
- Connecticut Swimmer Launches Petition to Reopen Pools
- As More States Reopen Pools for Summer, Obstacles Remain
- USA Swimming California LSCs Pen Letter to Governor Requesting Pools Open
- Chattanooga Swim League Joins Cancellation List as COVID-19 Restrictions Elsewhere Ease
- Summer Leagues Cancel in Illinois, Missouri and Tennessee; On Hold in Delaware
- Summer Leagues Cancel in Ohio, Nebraska; California Fights To Open Pools
- Decisions Loom in Several States to Determine Fate of Summer Swimming
- ‘Tremendously Difficult’ Decisions Loom for Summer Swimming Clubs
- Texas Pools Begin to Open, But Some Cities Holding Back
- With ‘Great Pain,’ Coastal Carolina Aquatic Association Cancels Summer Season
Resources for returning to the pool in the COVID-19 era
- COVID-19 Pools Guidance Updated By CDC On “Healthy Environments & Operations”
- Chlorine Not a Guaranteed Answer to Covid-19; Detailed Protocols The Way to Go, Says Expert
- USA Swimming Unveils Road to Competition Roadmap For Summer Return
- Pool Water Unlikely to Spread Coronavirus But Facility Environments Need Careful Handling, Says Expert
- Swim Practice Social Distancing Protocol
- The Worries and Concerns of Lap Swimming When Pools Open
- Proper Ways for Teams and Athletes to Resume Training (USA Swimming)
- Is the Water Safe From Coronavirus? Considerations for Return to the Pool
- Pools and Swimming: Getting Back in the Water Safely
- Coronavirus And Swimmers: CDC Issues Guidance On Water Transmission & COVID-19
Excuse me , How do you swim with a face covering on???
Patsy Patterson Martin you don’t have to social distance in the pool! The water is moving and so is the swimmer! No Covid transmission! Do some research! And stay home if you don’t like it! It’s that simple!
Kellie Rasmussen she asked a simple and harmless question. Don’t be rude.
Colin Kostyak it wasn’t rude it was a stupid question! WTH would you even say that?
Kellie Rasmussen that is your opinion. My opinion is that you were being rude for no reason
its a post to get pools open… why make a post about wears face mask? ?
19 hours and haven’t heard from the person that asked the question. Why don’t you (2) just let it go? Colin can be offended for Patsy in-abscentia and Kellie can be a frustrated know-it-all. Good grief!
Ryan Muraco does this mean you guys can open? Swim lessons?
Lisa Crowe Hill I dont know if that’s just outdoor or all pool. They were suppose to release guidelines today but never did.
Lisa Crowe Hill correction I guess those are the guidelines…
Please help us in NY get our pools open! Swimmers need to get back to training!
Stacey Preston don’t hold your breath. Suffolk pools were given green light only to be kept closed by towns. Cuomo is supposed to be talking about them sometime this week but unless he gives a real push its not happening. Our kids will be destroyed when competitions return. They will not be ready.
Athanasia Phelan Nassau is opening their pools. We need to get Suffolk towns on board !
Athanasia Phelan please call your town rep and supervisor to reconsider
Stacey Preston protest
IMPORTANT to note that the guidelines are for outdoor only – indoor facilities are not included in this executive order