Dipping a toe in the water: Richland County pools reopen with COVID-19 safety measures
Several Columbia-area community swimming pools are reopening, and safety measures are being put in place to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, the Richland County Recreation Commission said.
Starting Wednesday the Eastover Park Pool, St. Andrews Park Pool, and Trenholm Pool are opening, recreation commission officials said in a news release.
But residents looking to swim will need to do more than just show up at the pool facilities if they hope to get in the water.
Pool time will need to be reserved in advance online, and the capacity for each pool will be limited to 50 participants for each hour increment.
Additionally, the recreation commission said it would not provide pool chairs or life jackets, and individuals must bring their own.
Masks and face coverings are not allowed in the water because they create a safety issue if a lifeguard has to perform CPR, according to the release. But visitors are asked to wear masks on the pool deck and in the locker rooms, where social distancing mandates will be enforced and people need to remain at least 6 feet apart.
Starting July 6, wearing masks became mandatory at all Richland County commercial businesses, restaurants, retail stores, salons, grocery stores, and pharmacies.
The recreation commission said pool staff will regularly clean the locker room areas.
“If you are feeling unwell, please do not come into the pool facility,” officials said in the release. “If participants are not socially distancing, they may be asked to leave the pool facilities for not following facility rules.”
There is no admission charge to swim in the pools, which will be open from 2-5 p.m. on Wednesday through Friday, and from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday’s and Sunday’s, according to the release.
Because of safety issues, Hopkins Park Pool will be closed this summer, officials said. Information was not available on the specific safety issues, or if they are related to the coronavirus pandemic.
For more information, call 803-782-1976, or send an email to Kareem.Evans-t@rcrc.state.sc.us.
