COVID Information
Executive Order (E.O.) 79 (2021) and Order of Public Health Emergency 10, Ending of Commonsense Public Health Restriction Due to Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), is in effect as of midnight on May 28, 2021. This E.O. states that all individuals in the Commonwealth aged 5 and up should fully cover their mouth and nose in accordance with CDC guidance. The most recent guidance, Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People dated May 13, 2021, fully vaccinated people can resume activity without wearing masks or physical distancing.
In sum, the Governor;s E.O. will lift all mandatory community mitigation measures regarding COVID-19 that we in place under previously issued E.O.s. This means that it will no longer be mandatory for social distancing measures, sanitizing, capacity restrictions, symptoms screening, or posting COVID-19 related signage.
While mandatory restrictions may be lifted, MSTA will continue to adhere to "best practices" to keep our community and our staff safe and healthy. These best practices include:
- all lifeguards, when in the guard house, will wear masks. Lifeguards will not be required to wear masks when on deck or in the chairs.
- we will have hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes available for your use at the check-in desk in the guard house. Please feel free to use the wipes to wipe off any furniture you use on deck.
- life guards will periodically wipe down high touch surfaces (i.e. the check-in desk, door handles)
- the snack bar staff will wear masks when on duty in the snack bar.
- furniture will be on deck, but we have chairs and chaise lounges in groups of 3-4 with 2-3 feet of space between each grouping. We understand that your family group or pod may require more chairs, so we ask that you please limit moving furniture around to the greatest extent possible. If you do move furniture, please put it back in its original configuration when you leave.
- you are welcome to bring your own chairs for on-deck seating. We ask that you do not block walkways around the pool and please be mindful of your fellow members and guests on furniture around you.
If a member does not comply with the following guidelines and/or is inappropriately argumentative, rude or belligerent with the guards on site, or other members, the Board may be forced to revoke that membership. Last season we did witness come some inappropriate situations; this behavior will not be tolerated.
Below are the guidelines that the MSTA members must follow, broken out into categories and Q&A.
Registration/Pool Limits
How many people will be allowed at the pool at one time? Beginning May 28, 2021, under E.O. 79 (2021) MSTA can be at full capacity. However, we are limiting the amount of furniture on deck as we adjust to the elimination of mandatory restrictions under previously issued E.O.s.
Are we still required to use Signup Genius to reserve a spot?
No. Beginning May 28, 2021, under E.O. 79 (2021) MSTA can be at full capacity.
Are there other restrictions?
No. Beginning May 28, 2021, under E.O. 79 (2021) there are no mandatory community mitigation measures. This means MSTA can be at full capacity, no required social distancing, and members should follow CDC mask guidance.
However, for the health and safety of our members and staff, MSTA is implementing "best practices" to include, guards wearing masks when in the guard house, providing hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes for members use, limiting the furniture on deck to allow for some space between groupings of 3-4 chairs, and staff periodically wiping down high touch surfaces. We do ask that any members or their guests who have COVID-19 or known exposure to a COVID-19 case during the previous 14 days should enter the facility. Additionally if you have a fever, a new cough and/or shortness of breath that cannot be attributed to another health condition, a new sore throat or new muscle aches, please do not enter the facility. Please go home, contact your doctor, and get better so we can see you at MSTA this summer!.
Can we bring guests?
This season we will allow guests beginning June 14, 2021. All guest must adhere to the Virginia and Fairfax County health guidance regarding COVID. Any violation and your guests will be asked to leave the facility. .
Pool Operations
Will you be opening the baby and intermediate pools?
Yes.
One rule that hasn’t changed: If your child is still in diapers, they must wear rubber diapers in the main pool. MSTA will enforce this rule.
Who will be enforcing the rules?
Lifeguards who are not on guard duty and Board members will be enforcing the rules. We ask that everyone be considerate to other members and to our guards. Unfortunately, we have witnessed some extremely rude and offensive behavior by a few members in recent weeks.
Keep in mind that most of the lifeguards are MSTA members and many of them are on the Marlins team. They are your neighbors and friends, so please be respectful, listen, and follow their instructions. If you have any concerns, please contact a member of the MSTA Board.
On the Pool Deck
Will deck chairs or picnic table be available?
Yes. Although we have chairs and chaise lounges in groups of 3-4 with 2-3 feet of space in-between groups to help everyone adjust to the lifting of mandatory COVID community mitigation restrictions.
Will the snack bar be open?
Yes! The snack bar staff will be wearing masks while on duty for the health and safety of our members and staff.
We are very excited about the new Square system, which will make paying for items much (much) easier. The snack bar plans on implemening a way for members to have pre-paid accounts, thus eliminating the need for you to bring cards or cash to MSTA. Stay tuned for further details! Oh, and we are changing up the menu over the season ... and we have a slushie machine!
As always, please be sure to dispose of your trash and recycled items in the proper bins.
Are the grills available for use?
Yes! Grills are available on a first-come basis. We have grill brushes available for you to clean the grill after your finish your master bbq'ing. If your grill is experiencing an unwillingness to light, we have firestarters in the guard house that you can borrow to get your flame on! If your grill is out of gas, please let the guards in the guard house know and we will get a fresh propane tank on so you can continue mastering your bbq'ing technique.
Are the bathrooms open?
Yes! Please let a guard at the desk know if any stall needs toilet paper or if there is an issue with anything in the bathrooms.
What else should I bring to the pool?
Bring a good vibe! It has been a painfully long year and we are so excited to be open ... and I don't know about you, but the MSTA Board is ready for some warm weather, delicious food coming off the grill, and some fun times on deck. If you need anything, please tell a guard in the guard house. Waive "hi" to the guards in the chairs, but please let them focus on keeping everyone safe in the water and on deck. As always, you can contact the MSTA Board at president@mcleanswimandtennis.org.
Pool Hours
What are the pool hours?The pool will be open on weekdays from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m., and weekends from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Beginning on July 27, the pool will be open every day at 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Swim Team: The Marlins are in Division 2 of the Northern Virginia Swim League (NVSL). NVSL is planning a full season this summer. Meets are posted on the Swimming drop down on our home page and the MSTA calendar. We normally host 4 home swim meets a season on Saturday mornings and Monday evenings. Saturday morning meets run from 8:00am - Noon. The pool will open once the deck is cleaned and reset after the meet. Monday evening meets are from 5:00pm - 9:00pm. The pool will close early on those Mondays. Notice will be posted in the guard house when we host a home meet. GO MARLINS - FEAST!
Will you be opening for early morning swim/adding hours?
Yes. We are finalizing the dates and hours of early morning swim. We will have those hours posted shortly.
Will there be adult swim every hour?
Yes. We will offer adult swim for 15 minutes at 45 minutes past the hour, every hour. We also will use that time to for extra cleaning.
Will some lanes be reserved for lap swimming?
Yes, as we always have, there will still be two lap lanes available at all times. These lanes CANNOT be reserved. Please share and maintain appropriate distance between you and the other swimmer(s) in the lane.
In addition, please note that parts of pool will be reserved for 1-2 hours during the week to accommodate swim lessons and the tennis campers.
Other Questions
How do I sign up my child for swim lessons?The swim team coaches are offering private swim lessons. To book a lesson, please contact the individual coach directly.
Will you be providing any refunds/partial refunds this season?
No. A “full membership” is an equity membership – we are all owners in MSTA. As such, ownership means that we have a shared responsibility for upkeep and maintenance of the pool and grounds.
We recognize that COVID has created unusual and unprecedented situations. MSTA has been fortunate to be one of the few clubs in the area to offer swim team in 2020 and continue to offer swim team and tennis camps in 2021. This has been possible because of YOU! Your continued adherence to the health and safety guidance provided by the state and Fairfax County is much appreciated. In addition, our tennis courts and green space have been open for everyone to enjoy.
Please follow the guidelines above and the signs in the pool area, so that all members can enjoy MSTA for the 2021 season.