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The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) has formulated contingency measures to deal with probable service suspension at swimming pools and beaches tomorrow (September 9) due to lifeguard shortages as a result of industrial action by some lifeguards. The LCSD has arranged for part-time lifeguards to go on duty in order to maintain the opening of swimming pools and beaches. Members of the public are urged to pay attention to the department's announcements or call respective public swimming pools or public beaches to enquire about their opening before going, an LCSD spokesman said today (September 8).
The Director of Leisure and Cultural Services has also sent a letter to appeal to all lifeguards to place public interest and swimmers' safety as top priority and remain steadfast in the provision of essential lifesaving services to the public.
The spokesman said that if there are insufficient lifeguards on duty, the LCSD would temporarily or partially close certain swimming pools, or temporarily suspend lifesaving services and hoist red flags at beaches for the sake of swimmers' safety. Notices will be posted at respective swimming pools and beaches and press releases will also be issued to inform the public of the situation as early as possible.
He called on members of the public, especially the elderly, to pay attention to the department's announcements before going to any swimming facilities. They may also call the LCSD hotline at 2414 5555 or respective public swimming pools or public beaches to enquire about their opening. The telephone numbers are listed on the LCSD's website at: www.lcsd.gov.hk/beach/en/swim-location-hk.php (for swimming pools on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon), www.lcsd.gov.hk/beach/en/swim-location-nt.php (for swimming pools in the New Territories), www.lcsd.gov.hk/beach/en/beach-location-hk.php (for beaches on Hong Kong Island) or www.lcsd.gov.hk/beach/en/beach-location-nt.php (for beaches in the New Territories).
Ends/Monday, September 8, 2014
Issued at HKT 18:45
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