Coronavirus: Swimming Association urges government to reopen public pools as pandemic situation improves
- The Leisure and Cultural Services Department manages 44 public pools that have been closed since January because of the coronavirus
- ‘We have learned from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention there is no evidence the coronavirus can be transmitted in water,’ says local official
The Hong Kong Amateur Swimming Association has urged the government to reopen public swimming pools for club training in light of the improving pandemic situation in the city.
“Those public pools have been closed since late January and with the spread of coronavirus seemingly under control, it’s time to consider reopening them – at least for club training,” said association honorary secretary David Chiu Chin-hung.
“We have learned from the CDC [Centres for Disease Control and Prevention] in the United States that there is no evidence the coronavirus can be transmitted in water.
“After all, swimming pools in Hong Kong use chlorine or ozone for disinfection which can kill germs and viruses. If the pools can be reopened, we will take all precautionary measures to make it safe for swimmers.”
Chiu said a survey conducted by the association last month revealed that 60 per cent of the almost 3,000 respondents from athletes or parents said they had been affected physically or psychologically due to the lack of training following the closure of the pools. More than 90 per cent of the respondents wanted training to resume as soon as possible.
