{"id":434375,"date":"2020-06-03T18:39:06","date_gmt":"2020-06-04T01:39:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=434375"},"modified":"2020-06-03T18:39:06","modified_gmt":"2020-06-04T01:39:06","slug":"reopening-roundup-more-states-opening-for-swimming","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/reopening-roundup-more-states-opening-for-swimming\/","title":{"rendered":"Reopening Roundup: More States Opening for Swimming"},"content":{"rendered":"

As many states continue to see cases of COVID-19 flattening out, they are moving to reopen for business, including pool reopening. While the news is generally hopeful for swimmers as the summer begins in earnest, it\u2019s not uniformly so.<\/p>\n

Colorado<\/strong> on Monday released orders to reopen pools<\/a>. Outdoor pools can open at half capacity or up to 50 people, whichever is fewer. Rules will be finalized Thursday after a comment period. The guidelines also allow for restarting of sports leagues.<\/p>\n

Michigan<\/strong> pools received an executive order<\/a> from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer<\/strong> Monday easing lockdowns to open outdoor public swimming pools June 8 at 50 percent capacity. Indoor pools remain closed. At least three counties<\/a> \u2013 Oakland, Macomb and Wayne \u2013 have taken the opening to open pools as soon as they can.<\/p>\n

Louisiana<\/strong> will move into Phase 2 of its reopening on Friday<\/a>, which will open \u201cswimming pools for recreational use.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rhode Island<\/strong> on Monday moved into its Phase 2 recovery<\/a>, which allows public pools to reopen with restrictions. Facilities can only allow 15 people inside at a time without use of locker rooms and bathrooms.<\/p>\n

New Mexico<\/strong>, which Monday approved the reopening of public pools, is undergoing a process for inspecting pools<\/a>. The New Mexico Environment Department has jurisdiction. Among the other areas looking to reopen pools amid eased restrictions are the city of Casper<\/a> in Wyoming<\/strong>, Nebraska<\/strong> (at 25 percent occupancy<\/a>), Oregon<\/strong> (which divides use into \u201cgeneral use\u201d and \u201climited use\u201d<\/a>) and Mississippi<\/strong> capital Jackson.<\/p>\n

Massachusetts<\/strong> will decide Saturday if the state can move to Phase 2<\/a>, which would allow for the opening of outdoor pools. (Indoor pools would be in Phase 3 with other gym and fitness centers, including locker\/shower rooms.)<\/p>\n

Not every state is ready to return to the water yet. In Virginia<\/strong>, pools are open as part of Phase 2<\/a>, for lap swimming, diving, exercise and instruction. The order opens both indoor and outdoor venues. However, Richmond and Northern Virginia remain in Phase 1 with pools closed<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The picture in Illinois<\/strong> has grown complex. The \u201cRestore Illinois\u201d plan from Gov. J.B. Pritzker<\/strong> has kept pools closed in the state. But competitive swimmers are lobbying the governor<\/a> to move pools up in the process. Two clubs in Adams County, Quincy Country Club and Sheridan Swim Club, opened Monday against the orders of the government<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Swimming Through a Pandemic<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The postponements and cancellations wrought by COVID-19 haven\u2019t just affected the Olympics and the ranks of elite swimmers. They\u2019ve 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\u2019s effect on the American summer swimming calendar.<\/em><\/p>\n