SWCG bypass needed after pool plaster recoating?

I currently use a Pentair Intellichor IC20 SWCG and my pool/spa is being restructured with new returns, LEDS, tile and plaster coating. The manual states that the SWCG should be removed and replaced with a dummy bypass part to protect the cells from debris during a start up period. I would think that the cartridge filter would protect it from debris. The contractor agrees that the SWCG shouldn't be used for 30 days after refilling and that the pool should be first set up as a standard chlorine pool (one contractor said 60 days).

Does anyone know if it is OK to just shut off the SWCG for that period instead of removing the SWCG and installing this part?

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1. If the chlorine cell is DOWNSTREAM of the filter, and all the pool water goes THROUGH the filter before it reaches the cell, then there won't be any debris reaching the cell.

2. If you are using a conventional start-up (pH between 6.8 and 8.0 at all times) and you turn the cell off during startup, you should be able to leave it in place.

Otherwise, you'll need to remove it.