covid - 19 hoa updates
How to Open your Community Pool during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Over the last couple months, there have been multiple executive orders, guidance, and
requirements from the Georgia Department of Public Health and CDC. What does all this mean
for you and your community’s pool? Our goal is to help you navigate all of this information and to
build a strategy to safely and efficiently open your community pool.
Most recently, the Governor issued an executive order on June 11, 2020 that removes the enforcement of social distancing component for associations who have pools with less than 50 entrants at one time. Associations must still implement measures to combat the spread of COVID-19 through the expiration of this latest order on June 30, 2020. While the Governor removed the enforcement of social distancing component, the Georgia Department of Public Health has not updated their
COVID-19 Guidance on Public Swimming Pools to date.
While there are several suggestions from the Department of Public Health,
at a minimum, their requirements are that Associations:
- Post a sign at the gate that anyone with a fever or COVID-19 symptoms shall not enter and that people who do not live together should maintain social distancing (6 ft) in and around the pool area;
- Disinfect common surfaces regularly;
- Post notices that encourage hand and general hygiene at the pool entrance and highly visible areas;
- Tell swimmers not to wear face coverings while in the pool (as this could lead to drowning); and
- Enforce the social distancing of people not living together in and outside the pool (no more than 10 people even if family closer than 6 feet).
Associations who do not have pool monitors can encourage members to enforce social distancing themselves. We suggest you continue to follow the guidance and requirements from the Georgia Department of Public Health. While you can never totally eliminate potential liability, if your
Association follows the requirements from the Governor and the Department of Public
Health, you can help keep your community safe and healthy.
Contact Attorney Evan Barnard today with questions or
help needed with signage, waivers, or strategies for reopening your amenities.
* Please note that this document does not constitute legal advice. Each community and situation
is different and you should not rely on general information given here or on any other website. Additionally, information regarding COVID-19 is rapidly changing. In order to receive specific advice for your community please contact us so that we may review and advise based on community specific documents. Nothing in this document creates an attorney-client relationship with non-clients.
Attorney at Law
Evan Barnard
770-489-5122