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This year's swimming season starts tomorrow (April 1). The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) called on swimmers to keep public swimming pools clean and hygienic while having fun.
A spokesman for the LCSD said, "Our swimming pools are for the enjoyment of the public, so every user should observe the rules and maintain both personal and environmental hygiene.
"If swimmers feel unwell, they should not go in the water and should consult a doctor as soon as possible. They are advised to use the toilet before swimming and should never urinate or defecate in the pools. They should leave the water immediately and use the toilet if they need to vomit. Parents should teach their children the importance of maintaining 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 cleansed. They should put their slippers on in a designated area of the changing room. Those who want to wear T-shirts while swimming should bring along clean white T-shirts and put them over their swimsuits in the changing room and then walk through the shower bath.
In the swimming season, all public swimming pools, except Mui Wo Swimming Pool, will open in three sessions daily, from 6.30am to 10pm, with two breaks. The daily opening hours of Mui Wo Swimming Pool are from 8.30am to 10pm with two breaks to tie in with the ferry schedule. Details of the opening hours of the pools can be viewed at the following website: (www.lcsd.gov.hk/beach/en/swim-opening-hk-summer.php).
To maintain 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 cleansing 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 cleansing day falls on a public holiday, cleansing will be rescheduled to another weekday in the same week. For the schedule of the cleansing operation of public swimming pools, please refer to the following website: (www.lcsd.gov.hk/beach/en/swim-clean.php).
The following public swimming pools will be temporarily closed during certain periods for annual maintenance.
Swimming Pool (Period of closure)
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Training pool, diving pool and toddlers' pool of Victoria Park Swimming Pool (April 1 to 30)
Indoor pools of Kowloon Park Swimming Pool (April 1 to May 27)
Indoor pools of Hammer Hill Road Swimming Pool (April 1 to May 31)
Secondary and diving pools of Lai Chi Kok Park Swimming Pool (April 1 to October 31)
Main and diving pools of Sha Tin Jockey Club Swimming Pool (April 1 to May 21)
Main pool of Tseung Kwan O Swimming Pool (April 1 to May 27)
Main pool of Yuen Long Swimming Pool (April 16 to May 31)
Main pool of Fanling Swimming Pool (April 16 to May 31)
Morrison Hill Swimming Pool (May 1 to June 30)
Indoor pool of Shing Mun Valley Swimming Pool (May 1 to June 30)
Indoor pools of Hin Tin Swimming Pool (September 11 to October 31)
Tai Kok Tsui Swimming Pool (September 12 to October 31)
Ho Man Tin Swimming Pool (September 12 to October 31)
Island East Swimming Pool (September 14 to October 31)
For details of the opening arrangements and the schedule of the weekly cleansing operation of the public swimming pools, please visit the following website: (www.lcsd.gov.hk/beach/en/swim-location-hk.php).
Ends/Thursday, March 31, 2011
Issued at HKT 17:37
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