City of Columbia to open first outdoor pool of season, but with COVID-19 rules in place

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The city of Columbia on Friday will open its first outdoor pool of the season.

Albert-Oakland Family Aquatic Center is set to open at noon. Parks officials have said the pool on the city's north side is the only city pool opening at this time because of a lack of lifeguards.

Officials have said city pools will practice social distancing because lifeguards, managers and attendants will be present in most areas.

Pools public and private are allowed to be open but with restrictions under the city and county COVID-19 health order. The order requires pools to submit plans for disinfection and monitoring. Those with attendants are required to abide by 6 feet of social distancing while those without are limited to 25 people at a time.

Albert-Oakland pool opens at noon. The pool will be open from noon to 2 p.m. before temporarily closing to allow employees to sanitize.

The pool will reopen again for another two-hour session from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., and then close and sanitize again. The pool will be closed on Mondays.

Pool and deck furniture has been removed but swimmers are encouraged to bring their own chairs.

Check back here and watch ABC 17 News at 5 and 6 for more on what pools are doing amid COVID-19 concerns.