LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — Normally around this time of year, Lexington is preparing to open their seven public pools, but this year they are locked up and drained, and they will remain that way for the rest of the summer.
One challenge pools are facing is maintaining social distancing in a pool.
"Pools are very much like playgrounds a lot of children and it's just not reasonable to assume that we can maintain safe social distancing while people enjoy their time and recreate together," said Michelle Franzetti, the special events services manager with Lexington's parks and recreations.
During Gov. Andy Beshear's press conference on Friday, he did say lap pools will be able to open on June 1, but it's just too risky to open public pools right now.
"There are those that are saying that this can't spread in public pools, what they mean is that it's not spread in water, but it spreads if kids are playing in the pool, it spreads just as easily there or outside where there are kids and adults congregating," Beshear said.
There is still no timeline on when it may be safe to open public pools so Franzetti says they have no way to prepare. It takes at least six weeks to get their pools ready and train their nearly 200 pool employees.
