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Swimmers are urged to keep public swimming pools clean and hygienic during the new swimming season which starts tomorrow (April 1).
A spokesman for the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) said public swimming pools belonged to the whole community and people should maintain personal and environmental hygiene by observing the rules of using the pools.
He reminded swimmers not to go in the water if they felt unwell and they should consult a doctor as soon as possible. Swimmers are advised to use the toilet before swimming and not urinate or defecate in the pools. Swimmers should leave the water and use the toilet if they have a need. Parents should tell their children to maintain personal and public hygiene.
Before entering the pool deck, swimmers should shower in the changing room, and walk through the shower bath and footbath. Swimmers who prefer to wear slippers on the pool deck areas should make sure their slippers are thoroughly cleaned and they should put them on in a designated area of the changing room. Those who want to wear T-shirts while swimming should bring along white T-shirts and put them over their swimsuits in the changing room and then walk through the shower bath.
In the new swimming season, public swimming pools will open in three sessions daily from 6.30am to 10pm with two breaks. To tie in with the ferry schedule, Mui Wo Swimming Pool will open from 8.30am to 10pm with two breaks. Details of the opening hours of the pools are at Annex 1.
To enhance the hygiene of public swimming pools, each pool will be closed for thorough cleansing once a week, in addition to the routine cleansing work carried out daily. The cleaning operation will be conducted on a designated weekday (Monday to Friday) from 10am to the end of the second session.
In view of the keen demand for swimming pool facilities on public holidays, if the scheduled weekly cleaning day falls on a public holiday, cleaning will be rescheduled to another weekday in the same week. This arrangement has been on trial since July, 2007, and it was well received by the public. Schedule of cleaning operation of public swimming pools is at Annex 2.
The following public swimming pools will be temporarily closed for annual maintenance.
Swimming Pool Period of closure
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Lai Chi Kok Park Swimming Pool April 1 to May 15
Indoor pools of Kowloon Park April 1 to November 31
Swimming Pool
Indoor pools of Hammer Hill April 1 to May 31
Road Swimming Pool
Yuen Long Swimming Pool April 1 to May 14
Main pool of Fanling Swimming April 1 to May 31
Pool
Main and diving pools of Sha April 1 to May 31
Tin Jockey Club Swimming Pool
Indoor jacuzzi of Hin Tin April 1 to May 31
Swimming Pool
Main pool of Tseung Kwan O April 1 to May 29
Swimming Pool
Morrison Hill Swimming Pool May 1 to June 30
Main pool of Shing Mun May 1 to June 30
Valley Swimming Pool
Island East Swimming Pool September 3 to October 31
Tai Kok Tsui Swimming Pool September 3 to October 31
Ho Man Tin Swimming Pool September 3 to October 31
Main pool of Hin Tin Swimming September 16 to October 31
Pool
For details of the opening arrangements and the schedule of the weekly cleaning of pools, please visit the LCSD website at http://www.lcsd.gov.hk.
Ends/Monday, March 31, 2008
Issued at HKT 18:36
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