Boston opens 2 community pools, registration required

BOSTON — Until now, the city of Boston’s indoor pools were only open for youth recreational programs but that changes on Wednesday, as two community pools will open.

Mayor Marty Walsh announced that Mirabella Pool in the North End and Clougherty Pool in Charlestown will open to those who register online for swimming sessions.

“We want to have outdoor pools available as an opportunity for cooling off and getting exercise as the summer goes on,” Walsh said.

NEW : starting tmw.
2 outdoor swimming pools to open:
Charlestown
North end
Must register online. No walk in. 1 session per day. Starts tmw. Max 40 capacity = 75 or fewer in pool @boston25
— Evan White (@EvanWhiteIII) July 21, 2020

Boston is in the midst of the hottest weather of the season, with multiple days above 90 degrees. Boston 25 News asked Walsh why he waited until now to ease restrictions.

“We’re basically following the guidelines of the state and the phased reopening and we wanted to make sure,” said Walsh. “It would have been great to have them reopened last week but unfortunately we weren’t ready for that we wanted to make sure all of the proper protocols were put in place (it was) a timing issue.”

The mayor called out those overcrowding South Boston beaches over the weekend and stressed that city pools are not to be filled, only kept at 40% capacity. That translates to no more than 75 people in the pool at one time, according to the mayor.

Some of the other new rules include:

Sessions limited to 90 minutes
No more than three children per adult
Locker rooms closed, bathrooms are open
Swimmers asked to come dressed to swim
Those registering will be screened online and in-person for COVID-19 symptoms

The registration form can be found here.

Due to #COVID19, new protocols are in place:
✅Pool capacity will be 40% of normal.
✅That translates to 75 people or fewer at a time.
✅You have to register for a time slot at https://t.co/tAaK7N285o.
— Mayor Marty Walsh (@marty_walsh) July 21, 2020