July 2, 2020
The pool
To the residents of Tanglewood Shores Golf and Country Club. In line with Phase 3 of the Pandemic we are now planning on opening the pool this weekend on Saturday, July 4th from 12:00 until 6:00.
The guidelines from the state are attached. The following are additional Tanglewood rules.
As I have already stated, this is going to be a fluid process. We will make changes as necessary based on how things go.
I know this is going to be so different from the past summers, but at least we can get in the pool. The governor calls this “free swim”. I have talked to the Mecklenburg County health department about this and they have given me their approval for all this.
As I have already stated, this will be a fluid process, and we will make changes as we see what is going to happen and how many people want to be a part of the pool. This weekend will be busy because of the holiday.
You sunbathers will at least get to get in the water to cool off! I want to thank all of you for your patience these last few months. It has not been easy on anyone.
We, the Board of Directors have had to consider all the community of Tanglewood and what to do for the good of all. Even when it hasn’t been easy. I think we have done our best in this time of the pandemic and quarantine. I hope everyone enjoys their summer including the pool.,
Prior to admission to the pool. You will be asked these questions. For Adults.
1. Are you currently experiencing a fever (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher), or sense of having a fever?
2. A new cough that cannot be attributed to another health condition?
3. New chills that cannot be attributed to another health condition?
4. A new sore throat that cannot be attributed to another health condition?
5. New muscle aches that cannot be attributed to another health condition or specific activity (such as physical exercise).
Anyone experiencing symptoms will not be permitted in the facility. Screenings will be conducted in accordance with applicable privacy and confidentiality laws and regulations.
Here are the Phase Three Guidelines for Pools.
21 Safer At Home: Phase Three Swimming Pools
Scope: Indoor and outdoor Swimming Pools.
Phase 3: Establishments must either implement the following mandatory requirements or remain closed.
Mandatory Requirements:
Businesses must strictly adhere to the physical distancing guidelines, enhanced cleaning and disinfection practices, and enhanced workplace safety practices provided in the “Guidelines for All Business Sectors” document. If businesses choose to open, they must adhere to the following additional requirements for outdoor operations:
Post signage at the entrance that states that no one with a fever or symptoms of COVID-19, or known exposure to a COVID-19 case in the prior 14 days, is permitted in the establishment.
Post signage to provide public health reminders regarding physical distancing, gatherings, options for high-risk individuals, and staying home if sick (samples at bottom of this document).
Hot tubs, spas, saunas, splash pads, spray pools, and interactive play features must be closed.
Indoor and outdoor swimming pools may be open at up to 75% occupancy, if applicable, provided ten feet of physical distance may be maintained between patrons not of the same household. Free swim is allowed.
Swimming instruction and water exercise classes must be limited to allow all participants to maintain ten feet of physical distance where practicable. Parents or guardians may support a participant during class, and instructors may have contact with swimmers when necessary.
Seating may be provided on pool decks with at least ten feet of spacing between persons who are not members of the same household.
22 All seating (including lifeguard stations) must be cleaned and disinfected between uses. Employees working in customer-facing areas are required to wear face coverings over their nose and mouth, such as using CDC Use of Cloth Face Coverings guidance. Lifeguards responding to distressed swimmers are exempt from this requirement. Provide hand sanitizing stations, including at the entrance/exit and where shared equipment is utilized. Facilities should screen patrons for COVID-19 symptoms prior to admission to the facility. Patrons should be asked if they are currently experiencing fever (100.4degrees Fahrenheit or higher) or a sense of having a fever, a new cough that cannot be attributed to another health condition, new shortness of breath that cannot be attributed to another health condition, new chills that cannot be attributed to another health condition, a new sore throat that cannot be attributed to another health condition, or new muscle aches that cannot be attributed to another health condition or specific activity (such as physical exercise). Children should be screened per the CDC guidance for screening children. Anyone experiencing symptoms should not be permitted in the facility. Screenings should be conducted in accordance with applicable privacy and confidentiality laws and regulations
To open or not to open.
Virginia is still in Phase One of the Covid 19 pandemic. For swimming pools that means only lap swimming is allowed. One person per lane. Also only 50% of the membership are allowed in the pool area at a time. Constant monitoring, disinfecting, and social distancing has to be maintained at all times. The good thing for all this is that being in the water is the safest part of the pool being open.
I have talked to other pool managers in the area, Donnie, from Paradise Pool, and of course I listen to our Governor.
I have been advised to keep the pool closed until the state at least goes to Phase Two. If the pool opens, it will not be fully operational like we are used to. The Virginia State Department of Health through the local health department, is now in charge of all public pools. In order to open we have to apply. To remain open, we have to daily make our chemical readings available to the health department. Our pool maintains the standards that is necessary for safe swimming and to meet the requirements of the Health Department.
There are other considerations for opening. Social distancing while on the deck of the pool, constant cleaning for sanitizing of the area, bathroom facilities, and entrance and exit of the pool.
We are working through all of this while we await to see what the Governor, the CDC, and the Health Department gives us for guidelines.
All of us at Tanglewood Shores has done a good job of staying safe and healthy. We, the Board, do not mind doing the hard work to get the pool open, but we will not sacrifice everyone's health and safety to open it.
When we move to Phase Two and get more directions we will inform all of you of the decisions to open or not.
Linda Adamos, President
Here is a link to Virginia Phase 2 Guidelines, go to page 23 for Pool Guidelines as of 6/03/2020
Phase 2 Pool Guidelines