********************************************************
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 belong to the whole community and people should maintain both personal and environmental hygiene by observing the rules of using the pools."
The spokesman said, "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 not urinate or defecate in the pools. They should leave the water immediately and use the toilet if they want to vomit. 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 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 (www.lcsd.gov.hk/beach/en/swim-opening-hk-w.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. This arrangement has been in operation for years, and has been well received by the public. Please refer to (www.lcsd.gov.hk/beach/en/swim-clean.php) for the schedule of the cleansing operation of public swimming pools.
The following public swimming pools will be temporarily closed for annual maintenance.
Swimming Pool (Period of closure)
---------------------------------
Leisure pools of Tseung Kwan O Swimming Pool (November 1, 2009 to April 15, 2010)
Main pool of Yuen Long Swimming Pool ( April 1 to May 20)
Main and diving pools of Sha Tin Jockey Club Swimming Pool (April 1 to May 21)
Indoor pools of Hammer Hill Road Swimming Pool (April 1 to May 31)
Indoor pools of Kowloon Park Swimming Pool (April 1 to May 31)
Main pool of Fanling Swimming Pool (April 16 to May 31)
Main pool of Tseung Kwan O 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)
Island East Swimming Pool (September 1 to October 31)
Ho Man Tin Swimming Pool (September 11 to October 31)
Indoor pools of Hin Tin Swimming Pool (September 11 to October 31)
Tai Kok Tsui Swimming Pool (September 12 to October 31)
The whole swimming pool complex of Lai Chi Kok Park Swimming Pool will be closed between April 1 and December 31 for conversion of the secondary pool into an indoor heated pool. During the closure, the public may use Lei Cheung Uk Swimming Pool or Sham Shui Po Park Swimming Pool in the same district.
For details of the opening arrangements and the schedule of the weekly cleansing operation of the public swimming pools, please visit the LCSD website (www.lcsd.gov.hk).
Ends/Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Issued at HKT 16:26
NNNN
