BROCKTON, Mass. — Many people living in Brockton didn’t think the pools would reopen, after what we all just went through with the pandemic.
“There were only like 10 people here. I felt like we had the pool to ourselves,” said Alexandrinha Silveria, a mother of two from Brockton.
Silveria took her kids to Brockton High School’s city pool on Thursday for the first time. “Once it starts to get crazy, I won’t be coming anymore. I’ll go to the beach or the pond,” said Silveria.
BROCKTON: At the height of the pandemic 3 months ago, Brockton was one of the hardest hit areas. They had the one of the highest infection rates in the state. Fast forward to July, now all @MassDCR pools are open. @boston25 pic.twitter.com/Vf6rGsUOkL
— Malini Basu (@WFXTMalini) July 16, 2020
Brockton was one of the hardest-hit areas during the height of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Stores were closing at like 5, we didn’t have toilet paper, water at the store. It was pretty crazy, and now it’s calmed down,” said Silveria.
We spoke with Tim Carpenter, who is the superintendent of parks for the City of Brockton. Carpenter says, now all Massachusetts DCR pools are open.
At Brockton High School’s pool, they will only allow 65 people in at a time, including the lifeguards.
“All lockers are shut down, locker rooms and shower facility are closed, we have outdoor showers,” said Tim Carpenter.
Some of the new guidelines: the pool will be open in two sessions - from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Crews will clean and sanitize all surfaces and bathrooms between the sessions.
“We have a spray disinfectant that will disinfect all ladders going into the pool, guard stations, benches, all doorknobs, bathrooms,” said Carpenter.
“I feel like it’s calm down, but because it’s calm now, it’s going back up because everyone is like it’s back to normal,” said Silveria.
But it’s not back to normal just yet. Outside of the pool gates, there are lines, making sure you are 6 feet apart, and it will cost you $2 to come in per session. You will be required to wear your mask when you are in the deck area.
- You can find a list of all DCR pools and locations here.
- You can find a DCR park near you with this locator
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RESOURCES:
- Massachusetts Coronavirus Information
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