Have fun in clean and hygienic swimming pools (with photos)
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     Many members of the public love to go swimming in Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) swimming pools during summer. The department calls on swimmers to take care of their own safety and keep public swimming pools clean and hygienic.

     The 43 LCSD public swimming pools provide a variety of facilities for the public to swim for physical health. Some of these pools also offer interesting water play equipment such as water slides, mushroom-shaped water curtains, fountains, water guns and animal floats, giving swimmers the opportunity to have fun with family and friends.

     To maintain the hygiene of public swimming pools, each pool is closed for thorough cleaning once a week, in addition to the daily routine cleaning work. The cleaning operation is conducted on a designated weekday (between Monday and Friday) from 10am to the end of the second session. If the scheduled weekly cleaning day falls on a public holiday, cleaning will be rescheduled to another weekday in the same week.

     "Public co-operation is also important for keeping public swimming pools clean," a spokesman for the LCSD said. He reminded swimmers to maintain personal hygiene and observe the following pool rules:

(a) Swimmers should shower in the changing room before entering the pool deck;
(b) Swimmers should walk through the shower bath and footbath;
(c) Swimmers should not go swimming if they feel unwell and should seek medical consultation instead;
(d) Swimmers 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 have to vomit; and
(e) Parents should teach their children the importance of maintaining personal and public hygiene.

     In addition, keen swimmers are encouraged to buy public swimming pool monthly tickets and use smart cards to enjoy a more convenient admission arrangement.

     For details of the public swimming pool monthly ticket smart card scheme, the opening arrangements and the schedule of the weekly cleansing operations, please visit LCSD webpage: www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/beach/swim-intro.html.

Ends/Saturday, June 18, 2016
Issued at HKT 11:00

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