Kentucky Public Swimming Facilities May Open June 29th

In his Tuesday afternoon address to Kentucky, Governor Andy Beshear announced a date--June 29th--on which public swimming facilities may open. But they must meet strict safety guidelines before doing so.

The facilities in question include beaches, swimming pools, wading pools, wave pools, competition swimming pools, diving pools, water slides, spray pools, spas, therapeutic pools, hydrotherapy pools, and whirlpools.

Social distancing in the water requires some math. According to the governor's Team Kentucky/Healthy at Work press release, facilities must take the surface area of the water and divide by 36 square feet. For example, if the surface area of the water in, let's say, a pool was 5000 square feet, you could have no more than 138 people in that pool.

Additionally, there is a very long list of protocols for these facilities which includes the elimination of waiting areas, saunas, and steam rooms; the modification of traffic flow to minimize contact; and frequent cleaning and ventilation of locker rooms, restrooms, common areas, and breakrooms, among many others.

Signs informing staff and patrons of required occupancy limits will need to be posted prominently.