Mayor Harry Kim explained in a press release on Monday why public swimming pools must remain closed during the pandemic.  The Mayor issued an Emergency Rule that reopened most businesses, operations and activities effective June 15, while public swimming pools remain closed.

“The most important reason we cannot reopen the pools is because of the inability to keep the rest rooms and showers clean,” the Mayor said.  “The facilities need constant monitoring and disinfection to keep them clean due to the heavy use of the facilities by swimmers and non-swimmers, but that’s not feasible due to the shortage of personnel to do it.”

Mayor Kim previously had a different reason for not allowing county swimming pools to open, when he took part in a video conference on May 28 with Gov. David Ige and the other three county mayors:

“One of the things about swimming pools, I was trying to read up on it and listen to people that are the so-called experts, and realizing how dangerous that is, I think everyone who swims, you know almost everybody takes water in their mouth and spit it out, and blow there nose, and lord help us, people even urinate in a pool and whatever, in a contained pool. I would not feel safe until I have all the information I need to know those things are not gonna be passed on to me… number one has to be the safety of the people. A swimming pools is a thing that’s nice to have but definitely don’t need to have. We’ve got a beautiful ocean out there. I urge caution, the world is still learning about this virus.”

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says there is no evidence of the coronavirus spreading via pools. The CDC’s web site says “There is no evidence that the virus that causes COVID-19 can be spread to people through the water in pools, hot tubs, or water playgrounds. Additionally, proper operation of these aquatic venues and disinfection of the water (with chlorine or bromine) should inactivate the virus.”

The CDC says people should still stay 6 feet away from others, and wear masks when around others and not in the pool. And nobody should leave home if sick.

In the press release Monday, the Mayor said while he understands the public’s desire to return everything to normal, his overriding responsibility is to ensure that people are safe from the highly-contagious Coronavirus.

“Until we are assured that we can meet the responsibility to keep the bathrooms and the swimming pools clean, the pools will stay closed to ensure the public safety,” Mayor Kim said.

He urged the community to keep up their observance of CDC guidelines to prevent the spread of the virus, including social distancing, face coverings and hand washing.

Photo is the Kona Aquatics Swim Team with Coach Steve Borowski, at the Kona Aquatic Center, courtesy Kona Aquatics.