The following message will appear in the July edition of the Somerset Journal:
Dear residents,
As Montgomery County enters Phase 2 and 3, restrictions are being lifted on congregating, using public spaces, indoor spaces, and other facilities that have otherwise been limited for the past three months or so. One such restriction that is being lifted is the use of pool facilities.
The Town’s Pool Committee has been hard at work following each and every development as it pertains to pools, and between the Mayor, Council President, and I, we have sat in on at least two or three calls every week with County and State officials getting updates. In April, the Council, in anticipation of necessary changes, and to improve the record-keeping and signing-in process at the pool, approved a new pool software company to help better manage entry to the pool.
Most recently, in June, the Town Council passed a set of rules, recommended by the Town’s Pool Committee, that will be in effect for the 2020 Pool Season (NOTE: The new rules are posted below). The Town Pool will follow strict cleaning, capacity, and reporting regulations from the CDC, Department of Health, State of Maryland, and Montgomery County, as well as adhering to privacy laws
to ensure that use of the pool is as safe as possible given the covid-19 pandemic.
Among the rule changes that will be in effect this summer: There will be no guests allowed; nannies and caregivers will require their own pool pass; there will be restrictions on unaccompanied children; residents will be required to sign in and out of the pool, and certify prior to entry that they are not experiencing Coronavirus or flu-like symptoms; face masks will be required except when in the pool; no food or drink (except for water in water bottles); and no patio equipment or grill use, among others (see below). These will be evaluated throughout the summer, and are subject to change based on the landscape as it pertains to the Coronavirus and our ability to respond safely.
Opening the pool to these stringent standards requires a lot of work on the back end. We are aiming for a June 29 opening date, but that too is subject to change, and may be delayed if implementation of those standards is not possible in that time frame. We will not rush the opening for the sake of opening, and will ensure all safety precautions are appropriately in place.
On behalf of everyone involved in the pool opening, I thank you all for your patience, and look forward to fun and safe summer 2020 pool season
.