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Why Pool Businesses are Considered Essential Businesses
Recently, Denton County (as well as many other DFW area counties) issued a “Stay at Home” order. Obviously this is a very unique situation right now that is a first for all of us.
We have been getting calls from clients about how the “shelter-in-place” affects them and their pool: Is the Retail Store open? Are you going to clean/repair my pool? Are you stopping construction on our pool? As you can imagine, this is going on all over the country and according to the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance, the pool industry has been considered an “essential” business by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) & the US Department of Homeland Security.
Following is my understanding of what it means for Gohlke Pools as well as others in the pool industry:
Pool Service & Repair
- Exempt from the “Stay at Home” order are:
- ..Plumbers, electricians, exterminators, and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences…
- Reasoning
- The maintenance of properly sanitized swimming pools and other artificial bodies of water is necessary to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases and help maintain community health.
- Without proper pool maintenance (which includes circulation and treatment of water) various pathogens can grow, such as Pseudomonas, Cryptosporidium, E. Coli, Shigella, etc. It can also create a breeding ground for mosquitoes, other pests and the diseases they may carry. This presents a risk not only to bathers but to the entire community at large.
- In addition, we all know the danger of a green, cloudy pool and that it is not extremely uncommon for children to drown in them.
Retail
- Exempt from the “Stay at Home” order are:
- …distributors of cleaning, sanitizing, disinfecting, or sanitation supplies.
- ..those who provide services that are necessary to maintain safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences.
- Reasoning
- If you are attempting to treat your own pool, necessary chemicals can be and should be purchased.
- Many of the chemicals retailers sell can also be used for surface disinfection, drinking water treatment, and more.
- Retailers are making accommodations to service customers like curbside pick-up, ship-to-home, in home appointments and the like.
New Pools & Renovation
- Exempt from the “Stay at Home” order are:
- …construction, including housing construction.
- Reasoning
- Projects under construction
- It is critically important that active inground pool and spa projects be completed. Unfinished projects pose significant public safety risks as potential issues such as cave-ins and pool popping, as well as the dangers posed by an active construction site.
- Projects under construction
We do believe that our work is essential and important to our community’s safety and well-being. We are fortunate to be able to work and provide a valuable service during this time.
