With the spread of COVID-19 forcing closures and cancellations at churches, theme parks, festivals, concerts and sporting events, many people face the prospect of a low-key “staycation” for spring and summer this year.
That leaves swimming pools as one of the last bastions of fun at home while people practice social distancing and self-quarantine to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Many have asked if their pool chemicals are enough to kill the Corona virus and according to the CDC, the answer is a careful yes …
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “There is no evidence that COVID-19 can be spread to humans through the use of pools and hot tubs. Proper operation, maintenance, and disinfection (e.g., with chlorine and bromine) of pools and hot tubs should remove or inactivate the virus that causes COVID-19.”
If you’re wondering about saltwater pools, this goes for those as well. Your saltwater pool will convert the salt into chlorine.
Of course, you can still catch the coronavirus at the pool by touching a surface that still has the virus on it, or through respiratory droplets from an infected person entering your body orally or nasally, or possibly through inhalation into the lungs, so social distancing is still recommended as it relates to anyone entering your pool that you have not been in close contact with for at least 14 days.
The CDC recommends doing your own inspection before you get into any treated water, including: checking the water’s pH and free chlorine or bromine concentration to make sure they are in high enough concentration to kill any virus that may be breathed or dropped into the water.
Test strips can test pH levels and free chlorine or bromine levels and can be found at most pool supply stores, including Backyard Paradise Pools.