LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — Business owners have had to constantly adapt over the last several months to adhere to health guidelines and to make sure they're practicing the safest principles.
For some businesses, like Aqua Tots Swim School, safety has always been the number one priority. According to Aqua Tots owner Jacob Thayer, it is crucial to teach kids how to swim, even during a pandemic.
"Looking back at last summer and spring and because of COVID-19 restrictions, a number of children and everyone were drawn to unsupervised waters and unsupervised swimming," Thayer explained. "Drowning did increase over the summer and spring and it remains the number one cause of accidental death to children under four (years old). What we do is too important that we have to adapt to be nimble to continue to teach life-saving techniques."
In order for Aqua Tots to have reopened in July, it had to go through a lot of changes. Only one parent is allowed in with their child. Everyone must wear a mask, including swim instructors, and while in the pool, everyone must wear a face shield. Starting this upcoming week, Aqua Tots will only be giving private classes for the rest of the year.
Brooke Hunt is a mother of two young girls and says these changes have made her and her family feel safe returning to the pool.
"I'm so thankful they can still be part of an activity during all of this where I feel like they're safe and are in a small group and their instructors are wearing face coverings," Hunt said. "I feel like they are doing a great job, they are consistently cleaning too."
Thayer also said they have zero confirmed cases of COVID-19 at any of their facilities.
