COVID-19 and Public Restrooms

Cities should consider the following when determining to keep public restrooms open. When public restrooms remain open, they encourage park use. With increased park use, social distancing may be more difficult to achieve.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources came out with a COVID-19 response which includes public restrooms information. “The bathrooms, shower buildings and vault toilets that are already open for the season will remain open. Most park bathrooms with running water are still closed for the season and will remain closed.” This could be an option for Cities. Keeping certain public restrooms closed will help staff focus on additional sanitation and cleaning measures.

Cities could consider keeping the restrooms open that have the heaviest traffic. If Cities were to keep the restrooms open that do not have as much traffic, vandalism may occur at the restrooms.

Another consideration to think about is keeping toilet paper, sanitizer and soap in the restrooms could be more susceptible to disappearing, because of the shortage. Therefore, limiting the amount of supplies in the restrooms is a good idea.

If a City decides to keep public restrooms open, consider posting signs at entrance points to the restrooms on preventative measures.

Submitted by: Kate Connell, Loss Control Consultant