Government Urged To Reopen Swimming Pools

Swimming coaches are calling on the government to partially reopen swimming pools and beaches, saying they can comply with conditions such as only letting in those who have tested negative for Covid-19.

Hong Kong Recreation and Sports Professionals General Union and an affiliated concern group of the swimming industry said on Saturday that public swimming pools have been closed for nearly 300 days since the pandemic began and many swimming coaches have been out of jobs for a long time.

Sherry Tsai, an ex-Olympic swimmer, said the prolonged closure of swimming pools also impacted the training of swimmers, adding that it may result in some of them quitting their training routines. She said the situation could lead to a loss of swimming talents in the city.

The groups proposed that the government limit the number of visitors to swimming pools and open the venues in different sessions.

They also said the government could require swimmers to wear a mask when they are not swimming. It can also allow only those who have received two doses of a vaccine or tested negative for the coronavirus to use swimming pools, the groups said.

To reduce the risks of transmission of the virus, the groups suggested that swim coaches and students could get tested for the virus regularly, adding that swim coaches could wear face shields during lessons.