MESA, AZ — Those looking to beat the heat and float down the Lower Salt River will be able to beginning this weekend.
Salt River Tubing said it received the green light to open to tubers on Saturday, May 16, and will have a number of safety measures in place, a news release said.
Among them:
- Bandanas will be given out to all tubers, while supplies last
- All employees will wear masks and face coverings
- Guests must wear a bandana or face covering when renting their tubes, riding in the shuttle, and returning their tubes
- Shuttles will be limited to 15 people
- Shuttles will be disinfected every night
As for the tubes themselves, Lynda Breault, spokesperson for Salt River Tubing, said they do not have plans to sanitize them. She said in an email to ABC15 that the tubes are used once a day and are then stored overnight in a building that does not have air conditioning and reaches temperatures over 100 degrees.
According to the CDC's website, is it not know if warm weather or temperatures can affect the spread of COVID-19 (read here). There is also no evidence that COVID-19 can spread through the water in pools, hot tubs, or spas, though chemicals used to treat pools including chlorine or bromine "should inactivate the virus" (read here).
The river will be open from 9 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. with the last tube rental at 1 p.m., depending on weather and the river's conditions, according to Salt River Tubing's website. The cost of rentals has increased by $2 this year, from $17 - $19, plus tax.
On Tuesday, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey announced that community pools, gyms, fitness centers, spas, and massage therapists could reopen as early as Wednesday, May 13, as long as they follow CDC-recommended guidelines. It is part of the state's phased-in approach to reopening industries that were closed at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Related: What are the rules for community pools to reopen in Arizona?
Related: What are the rules for reopening gyms in Arizona?
Restaurants were able to reopen their dining rooms on Monday, May 11. Last week, stores, hair salons, barbershops, and nail salons were allowed to reopen.
IF YOU GO:
Salt River Tubing
9200 North Bush Highway Mesa, AZ 85215
www.saltrivertubing.com
