Early Allowance and Flexibility with COVID Protocols for Water Recreation Facilities

 

Environmental Health Services Division
401 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1000
Seattle, WA 98104-1818
206-263-9566  Fax 206-296-0189
TTY Relay: 711
www.kingcounty.gov/health

 

Dear Pool and Spa Community,

Due to the extremely hot weather we are experiencing in the state, the state Department of Health is allowing flexibility with the COVID protocols for water recreation facilities to open up activities prior to Wednesday, June 30, 2021.

As long as it is safe to do so as determined by the managers and pool operators of the facilities, you are now allowed to:

• Open the facilities using the normal time (non-COVID time) maximum occupancy limits
• Physical distancing, health screening, and environmental cleaning and disinfection are still recommended, but not required
• Masks should be worn by unvaccinated people in an indoor environment when not in the water.

All businesses and organizations can support a safe re-opening, see Safe Reopening. Follow Washington state guidance to protect your employees and customers, with proper indoor air ventilation, vaccination efforts, and mask guidelines.

• Businesses and other organizations retain the right to require customers and employees wear masks. 
• Fully vaccinated employees do not have to wear a mask or physically distance at work, unless their employer still requires it.
• But, Washington Labor & Industries requires employers to verify that employees are fully vaccinated.

Please ensure that water recreation facilities are operated in a safe manner following the requirements found in WAC 246-260 and WAC 246-262. These requirements include but are not limited to:

• Adequate lifeguarding following the lifeguarding plans at each water recreation facility that is required to have lifeguards
• Adequate provision of restrooms, locker rooms, and shower rooms where required
• Proper maintenance of water quality (disinfectant and pH are in the acceptable ranges)
• Read the Chemical Shortage handout at https://kingcounty.gov/pools/chlorine
• Hand-feeding of disinfectant is allowed only on an emergency basis if no users are in the pool. Shortage of liquid chlorine supply caused some facilities to switch from liquid chlorine (sodium hypochlorite solution) that is automatically fed to granular chlorine (calcium hypochlorite) that is hand-fed by operators. Consult the local health jurisdiction about this practice and ensure that it is done in a safe manner.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to: KCPoolPlans@kingcounty.gov