COVID-19 may have changed the way you go about your daily life, but that doesn’t mean you have to give up all of the things you love. Hot tub and pool use can still be enjoyed when appropriate measures are taken.
In this article, our experts at National Pools & Spas in New Jersey take a closer look at the recommendations of using a hot tub during the COVID-19 pandemic according to leading health experts.
Using Your Pool or Spa at Home
Using your hot tub and, in the warmer weather, your pool, poses no risk as long as you limit their use to your own household. Continuing with your normal cleaning and maintenance schedule is all you need to keep your water clean and germ-free.
Using Your Hot Tub Against COVID
Although there’s been a lot of talk that heat can kill COVID-19, it’s just that — a lot of talk. Using the hottest temperature possible in your spa for extended periods of time is dangerous. In fact, bathing at the maximum temperature of 104°F for more than 20 minutes can actually lead to dehydration or even heat stroke.
The World Health Organization continues to tout frequent hand washing as the best way to protect yourself from COVID-19. When combined with social distancing, it is an effective way to help reduce your risk and prevent the spread to others.
The Proper Way to Use Your Spa
Your hot tub can’t do much to protect you from COVID-19, but it’s still one of the best ways to deal with stress — something that has grown tenfold since the start of the pandemic.
If you need a little stress relief, the heated water and jet massage of your spa can provide just that. This power duo will not only soothe sore muscles and ease tension, but increase your body’s endorphin production. This hormone is the best natural remedy for stress and pain.
Social Pool and Spa Use
While you’re permitted to invite people who aren’t part of your household over for pool or spa time, the NJ Department of Public Health suggests being cautious by keeping gatherings outdoors whenever possible.
The health department also suggests keeping group gatherings small and staying six feet apart from people who aren’t part of your household. Hosts are also urged to clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces and any shared items between uses.
Public Pools and Hot Tubs
Pools and hot tubs at your gym or local spa or other public places do not pose a significant risk to your health, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In fact, the CDC says there’s no evidence the virus can spread through use of public pools and spas. Following safe pool and hot tub practices, social and physical distancing and frequent hand washing remain the most effective ways to protect yourself.
While a clean pool or spa with properly treated water should provide sufficient protection against the virus, public pool and spa operators still need to put certain measures in place. The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) say tests for microbiological quality should be performed frequently in line with national guidelines.
The IHRSA also suggests public pool and spa providers enforce social distancing and ask all users to sanitize their hands upon entering the facility.
National Pools & Spas
If you’re ready to dive into hot tub or pool ownership, National Pools & Spas is the best place to start. As the top local dealership in the region, our focus is on high-quality products and customer satisfaction. Contact or visit at any of our three New Jersey locations to shop for hot tub covers or hot tub accessories or to talk to one of our experts about the spa services we offer.
