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.

Revised December 7, 2020

Mandatory Use of Masks or Face Coverings

The use of masks or face coverings is mandatory in all indoor public settings, as per Ontario

Regulation 82/20 and City of Toronto By-law 541-2020.

Masks or face coverings are strongly recommended outdoors when physical distancing cannot be

maintained.

Facility owners and operators must develop a policy on the wearing of masks, as per City of

Toronto by-law, and train staff on the policy. More information is available here.

Masks or face coverings may be temporarily removed while engaging in an athletic or fitness

activity (e.g. swimming).

Masks must be worn on the recreational water facility deck and in other areas of the facility.

Measures for All Workplaces, Businesses & Organizations

Employers must have written measures and procedures for staff safety, including for infection

prevention and control. Review TPHs Guidance for Employers on Preventing COVID-19 in the

Workplace to plan and implement protocols to keep staff and bathers safe, including:

Staff attendance and operations

Health screening for staff and customers

o Class A or supervised Class B pools: It is strongly recommended that owners and operators

conduct active in-person health screening for all staff and bathers before entering the facility.

o Unsupervised Class B pools, spas, wading pools or splash pads: Where in-person screening

cannot be conducted by staff on-site, encourage staff and bathers to self-screen for COVID-19

prior to entry.

Use of masks and face coverings

o Staff must wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) that covers their eyes, nose

and mouth if, while providing service in an indoor area, they are:

required to come within two metres of another person who is not wearing a mask or face

covering; and

not separated by plexiglass or some other impermeable barrier from a person described

above

Hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette

o Encourage staff and bathers to practice hand hygiene prior to, during, and after use of the

recreational water facility.

Revised December 7, 2020

Cleaning and disinfection

o Ensure locker rooms, change rooms, showers and washrooms are cleaned and disinfected as

frequently as is necessary to maintain a sanitary environment.

o Equipment that is rented to, provided to, or provided for the use of the public should be

cleaned and disinfected between each use.

o Rescue equipment (e.g. throwing-aids, reaching poles) and shared equipment (e.g. lifejackets,

flutter boards, clip boards) should be cleaned and disinfected after each use.

Attendance records for contact tracing

o Class A pools: Record the name and contact information (e.g. phone or email) of every

member of the public with a date, check in and check out time.

o Class B pools: Use a sign-in book for residents to leave their name and unit number, with a

date, check in and check out time.

Managing COVID-19 in the workplace

o See guidance document for more information.

Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC)

Increase the introduction and circulation of outdoor air by maximizing the outdoor air ratio of the

HVAC system settings, or by opening windows and doors, where possible. Avoid recirculating air.

Do not open windows and doors if doing so poses a safety risk.

Ensure the HVAC system(s) are properly maintained.

Where provided, use the highest efficiency filters that are compatible with the HVAC system.

Keep areas near HVAC inlets and outlets clear.

o Seating and activities should be arranged away from areas with high airflow (i.e. not in front of

air vents).

Rooms where indoor ceiling fans are used should have an upward airflow rotation.

If portable fans are used, limit the blowing of air across people and surfaces by positioning them

to provide an upward movement of air.

For more information, review TPHs COVID-19: Transmission, Aerosols and Ventilation fact sheet.

Safety Plan

Business operators are required to prepare and make available a safety plan. Pools and spas located

within other businesses (e.g. condo, sports facility) should be considered in that facility's safety plan.

This safety plan must:

Describe measures/procedures that have been or will be implemented in the business, place,

facility or establishment to reduce spread of COVID-19.

Revised December 7, 2020

Include measures for screening, physical distancing, masks, cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces

and objects, and the wearing of PPE.

Be in writing and made available to any person for review on request.

Be posted in a visible place to come to the attention of those working or attending the location.

Water Filtration and Disinfection

Adequate filtration and disinfection of water should remove or inactivate the virus that causes

COVID-19.

Ensure the facility's water filtration and disinfection systems (i.e. with chlorine or bromine) are

maintained and operating properly.

Where required, disinfectant levels in public pools, spas, wading pools and splash pads must be

maintained according to Ontario Regulation 565/90 – Public Pools.

Staff Training

Staff should receive clear instructions on the mandatory mask and face covering policy, and

understand who is exempted from wearing a mask. Proof of exemption is not required.

Educate staff on the proper use of masks/face coverings. They should change masks when moist

or dirty, but in areas away from customers (e.g. lunch room, private office).

Discourage staff from gathering together in common areas (e.g. lunch room). Encourage staff to

continue to maintain physical distancing in these areas.

Educate staff on hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette.

Train staff on the proper use of personal protective equipment (e.g. gloves, masks, face shield),

when required. Refer to Public Health Ontario resources.

Inform staff that physical distancing must not compromise safety supervision or the bathers' safety

(e.g. rescues, first aid).

Lifeguards who are actively providing safety supervision should not be expected to monitor

adherence to measures outlined in this document (e.g. COVID-19 screening, physical distancing).

These responsibilities should be assigned to another staff member.

Train staff on safety measures to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 transmission during first aid and

resuscitation. For additional information, consult industry experts such as the Lifesaving Society

and the Canadian Red Cross.

Revised December 7, 2020

Capacity Limits

Pools and spas that remain open in condominiums should be limited to only members of a single

household at one time. Individuals in the same household do not need to maintain physical

distancing.

Facilities for indoor and outdoor sports and recreational fitness activities (e.g. facilities which

contain a Class A Pool) that meet the conditions set out in O. Reg 82/20, Schedule 2, section 48,

and are permitted to open must limit the number of persons permitted in the facility such that

every member of the public is able to maintain a physical distance of at least two metres (six feet)

from every other person in the facility.

The following are suggestions for achieving compliance with this requirement:

o Set a capacity limit for the number of staff and bathers allowed in the facility at any given time.

Do the same for individual areas, such as change rooms.

o The capacity limit should be based on the layout and available space within the facility to

ensure ease of movement while maintaining a physical distance of two metres (six feet) from

others.

o Post signage at the entrance stating of the maximum number of bathers permitted at any one

time.

o Consider implementing appointments or time limits for the use of the facility so that capacity is

more easily controlled.

o Monitor to ensure adherence to the capacity limit.

o Remove furniture (e.g. chairs, benches, picnic tables) to accommodate the reduced facility

capacity (e.g. resting and spectator areas).

NOTE: Facilities must ensure that the total number of bathers permitted at any one time on the

deck and in the pool does not exceed the maximum bather load as determined by Ontario

Regulation 565/90 – Public Pools.

Physical Distancing

Post physical distancing signs throughout the facilities, including at all entrances, change rooms,

washrooms decks, etc.

Remind staff and bathers to maintain a physical distance of two metres (six feet) from people they

don’t live with, as best as possible.

Monitor capacity of the facility, change rooms and other areas as appropriate.

Revised December 7, 2020

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.

Revised December 7, 2020

o Practising the activity that requires less than two metres/six feet distance for as little time as

possible.

o Ensuring students and instructors keep a physical distance from each other during the class at

all other times as much as possible.

Where possible, training should operate in cohort groups, and remain the same each time the

group meets.

Allow adequate time to clean and disinfect any shared equipment after each use.

Communication

Inform staff and bathers about the changes you have made to protect them against COVID-19,

such as using posters, updated websites, email or social media accounts.

Designate a contact person (e.g. supervisor) to respond to COVID-19 concerns from staff and

bathers.

Post information in highly visible areas, including at entrances, service counters, cashiers, and

washrooms as a reminder for everyone to practice public health measures:

o COVID-19: Posters & Graphics

o COVID-19 Fact Sheet

Other Resources

Guidance for Employers on Preventing COVID-19 in the Workplace

Guidance for Employers on Managing COVID-19 in the Workplace

Lifesaving Society – Guide to Reopening Pools and Waterfronts

Public Pool, Public Spa and Class C Facilities Operator's Manual

Recreational Water Facility Opening Notification Form

Guidance for Sports and Recreational Fitness Facilities

More Information

For more information, visit our website at toronto.ca/COVID19 or call us at 416-338-7600.

References

Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) -

Considerations for Aquatic Venues. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-

ncov/community/parks-rec/aquatic-venues.html

Revised December 7, 2020

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Water Transmission and COVID-19. Retrieved from

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/water.html

Government of Alberta. (2020). COVID-19 Information - Guidance for Swimming Pools and Whirlpools.

Retrieved from: https://www.alberta.ca/assets/documents/covid-19-relaunch-guidance-swimming-

pools-and-whirlpools.pdf

Government of Ontario. (2020). Guidance for facilities for sports and recreational fitness activities

during COVID-19. Retrieved from: https://www.ontario.ca/page/guidance-facilities-sports-and-

recreational-fitness-activities-during-covid-19

Lifesaving Society. (2020). Guide to Reopening Pools and Waterfronts. Retrieved from:

https://www.lifesavingsociety.com/media/324917/98guide_reopening%20pools_waterfronts_finalr%20

-%20june%202020.pdf