2 Reston Pools Closed Due To Lifeguard Shortages Caused By COVID-19

Updated (11:41 a.m.): This story was updated with information from RA Spokesman Mike Leone.

RESTON, VA — Both the Ridge Heights and Upland community pools in Reston will be closed until Wednesday because of a shortage of lifeguards due to an increase in aquatics staff who tested positive for COVID-19.

The following alert was posted on the Reston Association website on Thursday night.:

"RA is currently experiencing a lifeguard shortage due an uptick in Aquatics staff testing positive for Covid-19. As a result, the Ridge Heights and Upland pools will be closed for the next five days (Friday through Tuesday) until adequate staffing is in place to ensure the safety of all patrons. Both pools will reopen on Wednesday, July 27, for normal operating hours."

Ridge Heights Heated Pool and Uplands Pool are usually open daily, except for Tuesday and Thursday.

The two pools were chosen because there were several other pools nearby that people could still use, said Mike Leone, a RA spokesman.

"With the hot weather this weekend, we want our pool patrons to have access to as many pool options as possible," he said, adding that there were 11 other pool options available for members and non-members across RA's four districts.

• Hunters Woods/Dogwood District- 2 pools are open.
• South Lakes- 3 of 4 pools will be open and they are Lake Audubon, Glade, and Newbridge.
• Lake Anne / Tall Oaks- 3 of 4 pools will be open and they are Golf Course Island, Tall Oaks, and North Shore.
• North Point- All 3 pools will be open.

"RA follows CDC guidelines/recommendations so masking, and immunizations are not required," Leone said. "We also follow the CDC guidelines as they pertain to return-to-work after a staff member tests positive for COVID-19."

Current guidance from the Fairfax County Health Department says that anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 must isolate for five days and then take another antigen test, provided they are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing drugs. If the patient tests positive, they must isolate an additional five days.

Patients shouldn't travel for the next 10 days following the first appearance of COVID-19 symptoms or their first positive test.

"CDC website would be the best resource for specific information on return-to-work," Leone said.