Revised December 7, 2020 COVID-19 Guidance for Recreational Water Facilities The following guidance should be used by owners and operators of recreational water facilities, including public pools, spas, wading pools and splash pads, to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Toronto is currently in lockdown (Grey Zone of the Province's COVID-19 Response Framework). Owners and operators are responsible for ensuring that their recreational water facility is in compliance with all orders made under the Reopening Ontario Act, in addition to Ontario Regulation 565/90 – Public Pools. As every recreational water facility is different, it is the responsibility of owners and operators to review their own policies, procedures, and site-specific operations, while ensuring that the appropriate infection prevention and control measures are implemented and maintained. Closures During lockdown, all facilities for indoor and outdoor sports and recreational fitness activities (e.g. facilities which contain a Class A Pool) must close unless they meet the conditions set out in O. Reg 82/20, Schedule 2, section 48. Hotels, motels, lodges, cabins, cottages, resorts and other shared rental accommodation, including student residences, must ensure any indoor pools, indoor fitness centres, or other indoor recreational facilities that are part of the operation of these businesses, are closed, per O. Reg 82/20, Schedule 2, section 25. All apartment buildings must close non-essential common areas, including, pools and spas (whirlpool, hot tubs), to be consistent with provincial restrictions, as per Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 354, Apartment Buildings. Toronto Public Health (TPH) strongly recommends that all condominiums close non-essential common areas, including pools and spas (whirlpool, hot tubs) to be consistent with provincial restrictions. o Pools and spas that remain open in condominiums must comply with provincial gathering restrictions. At this time, the use of indoor pools and spas must be limited to only members of a single household at one time. Aquatic instruction, including learn to swim and swimming classes, are currently not permitted. o Lifeguard training and certification courses are permitted. See conditions below.
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COVID-19 Guidance for Indoor Playgrounds · For facilities with an unsupervised Class B pool, spa, wading pool or splash pad: o Where in-person screening cannot be conducted by staff
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Revised December 7, 2020
COVID-19 Guidance for Recreational Water Facilities
The following guidance should be used by owners and operators of recreational water facilities,
including public pools, spas, wading pools and splash pads, to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Toronto is currently in lockdown (Grey Zone of the Province's COVID-19 Response Framework).
Owners and operators are responsible for ensuring that their recreational water facility is in
compliance with all orders made under the Reopening Ontario Act, in addition to Ontario Regulation
565/90 – Public Pools.
As every recreational water facility is different, it is the responsibility of owners and operators to
review their own policies, procedures, and site-specific operations, while ensuring that the appropriate
infection prevention and control measures are implemented and maintained.
Closures
During lockdown, all facilities for indoor and outdoor sports and recreational fitness activities
(e.g. facilities which contain a Class A Pool) must close unless they meet the conditions set out in
O. Reg 82/20, Schedule 2, section 48.
Hotels, motels, lodges, cabins, cottages, resorts and other shared rental accommodation,
including student residences, must ensure any indoor pools, indoor fitness centres, or other indoor
recreational facilities that are part of the operation of these businesses, are closed, per O. Reg
82/20, Schedule 2, section 25.
All apartment buildings must close non-essential common areas, including, pools and spas
(whirlpool, hot tubs), to be consistent with provincial restrictions, as per Toronto Municipal Code
Chapter 354, Apartment Buildings.
Toronto Public Health (TPH) strongly recommends that all condominiums close non-essential
common areas, including pools and spas (whirlpool, hot tubs) to be consistent with provincial
restrictions.
o Pools and spas that remain open in condominiums must comply with provincial gathering
restrictions. At this time, the use of indoor pools and spas must be limited to only members of
a single household at one time.
Aquatic instruction, including learn to swim and swimming classes, are currently not permitted.
o Lifeguard training and certification courses are permitted. See conditions below.
If capacity is reached and physical distancing is difficult or not possible, advise facility users to
return at another time.
Use visual markers, stickers or pylons to encourage physical distancing, where appropriate (e.g.
entrances, showers, pool deck, diving boards).
Stagger the flow of people entering and exiting the facility to prevent crowding.
Design a walking flow for the whole facility (e.g. creating one-directional walking paths with
prominent signage and/or floor markings), where appropriate (e.g. showers, change rooms, pool
deck).
Encourage physical distancing in the water and on the deck (e.g. one-directional swimming lanes
with prominent signage and/or deck markings, reminders to leisure bathers).
Stagger times for lap swims, training and other activities or programs.
Remind staff and bathers not to share items including water bottles, equipment and supplies.
Place markers or circles so bathers know where to stand when waiting or interacting with staff.
Install plexiglass/barriers, if possible, where there will be close contact between staff and bathers
(e.g. service counters, cashiers).
Block off amenities that are immediately next to each other, where possible (e.g., showers, lockers,
sinks)
Arrange furniture a minimum of two metres (six feet) apart, and place signs/notices in fixed
seating spaces (e.g., poolside benches).
o Mark furniture locations so that they may be repositioned easily (e.g. tape/paint on the floor).
Lifeguard Training and Certification
The provision of health and safety training, such as lifeguard training and certification, is permitted
as per Ontario Regulation 82/20 with the following conditions: o The instructional space enables students to maintain a physical distance of at least two metres
(six feet) from every other person in the instructional space, except where necessary for
effective teaching and instruction.
o The total number of students permitted to be in each instructional space at any one time must
be limited to the number that can maintain a physical distance of at least two metres (six feet)
from every other person, and cannot exceed 10 persons.
Virtual classes or training are recommended, wherever possible.
For training that requires the instructor and/or students to be less than two metres/six feet apart,
considerations should include:
o Wearing masks (e.g. in shallow area of pool, on deck), if possible and safe to do so.