ECTOR COUNTY, Texas — The Ector County Health Department announced on May 7 it would not be allowing semi-public pools to open for summer 2020.
This notice includes all hotel and motel pools, as well as apartment complex facilities.
According to the health department, while there is no evidence that COVID-19 can be transmitted through pool water, the crowds pools draw will still inrease the potential of the virus spreading.
"We understand the inconvenience this will cause and our goal is to protect the public and stop the spread of COVID-19 in our community," the ECHD said in a press release.
The announcement comes after the City of Odessa announced it will not be opening its pools for the 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns and budget restraints.
As of the time of the release, Ector County has 90 cases of COVID-19, with four deaths and 64 recoveries listed.
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After careful consideration the Ector County Health Department will not be permitting semi-public pools for the 2020 season. This includes all apartment complex pools, hotel pools and motel pools due to COVID-19. Although no evidence currently exists that Coronavirus can be transmitted through pools and the amount of chlorine present in pool water would likely kill the virus this does not suggest that opening the pools are safe. When more people join in an area it becomes less safe and the potential of spreading the virus increases. The ability to social distance and take proper precautions becomes difficult. Research suggests that the virus can live on hard surfaces for up to three days, and stays in the air for up to 30 minutes. We understand the inconvenience this will cause and our goal is to protect the public and stop the spread of COVID-19 in our community.