NY Guidance Coming Soon On Reopening Swimming Pools In Virus Era

NEW YORK, NY — New Yorkers have already been allowed to return to the beach this summer, but officials said Wednesday guidance is coming soon on whether the same will be true for municipal swimming pools, a hot topic in Facebook groups and Patch's own Neighbor Posts.

Speaking to reporters from on stage at the revamped LaGuardia Airport in Queens, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said less than 1 percent of COVID-19 tests on Long Island came back positive Tuesday — 0.8 percent in Nassau and 0.9 percent in Suffolk, a tick down from Monday and Sunday numbers, and an encouraging sign amid fears the infection rate could spike as the region gradually reopens businesses.

Long Island began the second phase of reopening businesses Wednesday, and if numbers hold, could begin the third phase in as little as two weeks.

But a key question remains: when will New Yorkers be allowed to cool off from the summer heat at neighborhood swimming pools?

Soon. Officials aid it's something they're "looking into."

"We anticipate putting out guidance for the municipalities in coming days," Melissa DeRosa, governor's top aide, said at the news briefing.

She didn't elaborate on how long, and those hoping it'll be in phase three will be disappointed to learn the state's guidance currently only includes restaurants/food services — indoor service — and non hair-related personal care, such as tattoo parlors, "appearance enhancement practitioners," massage therapists, spas, cosmetologists, nail and hair salons and waxing businesses.

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Patch has reached out to Long Island townships and county governments for comment and will update when we hear back.

Laura Curran, the Nassau County executive, said she was "excited to announce" that the county's outdoor pools will open this summer.

"Beginning Friday, July 3rd, four of the six County pools —Cantiague Park, North Woodmere Park, Wantagh Park, and Christopher Morley Park — will be available for Nassau County residents only," she said. "We also anticipate guidance from the state that may allow us to open our two beach pools at Nickerson Beach."

A spokesperson for the Town of North Hempstead said they do not have any updates at this time about pools reopening.

In the Town of Hempstead, Supervisor Don Clavin said in a statement the town welcomes updated guidance concerning municipal pools, and has been waiting for further direction from public health officials on best practices to reopen.

"The township's primary concern, as always, is to safeguard the well-being of residents," Clavin said. "When the governor authorized the opening of beaches, we were ready to open safely, and are prepared to do the same once we are given the green light to open our town pools."

A spokesman for the Town of Oyster Bay said its community pools will reopen by July 3 — at the latest.

"We are currently awaiting guidance from the Department of Health regarding capacity restrictions," the town said in a statement.

Chad Lupinacci, the Town of Huntington supervisor, told Patch in an emailed statement his town is looking into plans to reopen to residents only in the coming weeks.

"Based on the successful phased reopening of our beaches with new safety measures in place, we are more confident now that we can provide an equally safe and fun experience at the Dix Hills Pool this summer, which will be open for our summer camps," Lupinacci said. "We are considering plans to open the pool to residents only in the coming weeks."