18 May 2020

To the Swimming Pool Licence Holders

Dear Sir/Madam,

COVID-19 - Recommended Measures to be adopted for Swimming Pools

This department writes to the swimming pool management in the light of the latest situation of the COVID-19, reminding you that should the swimming pools be opened for use, all relevant facilities and equipment, including changing room, and ablution facility (e.g. shower), foot bath or latrine, etc., should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.  To prevent the spread of COVID-19 among swimmers using the swimming pool facilities, we recommend the swimming pool management to adopt the following measures:

General venue arrangement

1. not more than 50% of the number of persons stipulated in the licensing condition is to be accommodated in the swimming pool premises at any one time;
2. at this stage, the use of leisure pool, children's pool and paddling pool is to be suspended until further notice. The suspended swimming pool facilities must be properly cordoned off;
3. the use of spectator stand, if any, is to be suspended, with notices posted to inform swimmers;
4. if there is any sunbathing area in the swimming pool, the distance between beach chairs must be at least 1.5 meters;
5. hand sanitisers (70%-80% alcohol-based handrubs) must be provided at the premises;
6. a coarse mat sprayed with bleach solution must be placed at the entrance of the swimming pool;
7. foot-pedal type lidded litter container (with litter bags therein) must be placed at suitable and conspicuous place, with indication for disposal of used surgical masks;
8. the use of all drinking fountains must be suspended, and such facilities must be closed or cordoned off, with notices posted to inform swimmers;
9. please carry out regular environmental cleaning and disinfection of the swimming pool premises at least once after each swimming session daily;
10. forbid sharing of personal items such as towels.  All towels and consumables used must be changed after each use;

General venue management

11. All swimmers and swimming classes must observe the requirements in the Prevention and Control of Disease (Prohibition on Group Gathering) Regulation (Cap. 599G), including each swimming class must consist of no more than 8 persons (inclusive of the coach);
12. apart from providing adequate life guards in compliance with the licensing condition, please consider deploying additional staff to patrol in the swimming pool area and remind swimmers to maintain social distancing;
13. body temperature screening on a person must be conducted before the person is allowed to enter the premises;
14. a notice is to be displayed at the entrance of the swimming pool to advise persons not feeling well (such as having respiratory symptoms, fever or diarrhoea) against entering the swimming pool;
15. please display notice on "wear a mask before and after swimming" and Centre for Health Protection's posters on Prevention of Respiratory Tract Infections and Performing Hand Hygiene, and appeal to swimmers:
    1. wear a mask before and after swimming;
    2. to keep social distancing of at least 1.5 meters between swimmers when not on a mask, including in the swimming pool; and
    3. to practise hand hygiene after touching public objects, after going to toilet or when hands are dirty, and before touching eyes, nose and mouth.

Swimming pool

16. ensure that the filtration or purification plant of the swimming pool is in good working conditions and the pool water will be changed regularly;
17. closely monitor the chlorine content of the pool water to ensure that its disinfection effect is in compliance with the licensing condition;

Ablution facilities

18. all swimmers should pass through the footbaths and overhead curtain showers with proper drainage before entering the swimming pool;
19. keep the facilities and equipment of the latrines clean and hygienic;
20. the following infection control recommendations must be applied to shower facilities:
    1. keep social distancing of at least 1.5 metres between swimmers by opening alternate cubicles or shower heads only;
    2. carry out cleaning and disinfection of the shower cubicles at least once every four hours;
    3. the number of storage cabinets open to swimmers must be reduced to half and only alternate column is to be opened for use.  If circumstances permit, keep a separation of each column by at least 1.5 metres;
    4. remind swimmers to wrap one's personal belongings in a proper container (like a bag) before placing them in a storage cabinet;
    5. carry out regular environmental cleaning and disinfection on the facilities including storage cabinets at least once daily; and
21. steam and sauna facilities, if any, in the premises must be closed.

For continuous upkeeping of environmental hygiene, swimming pool management must make concerted and persistent efforts to ensure cleanliness and hygienic conditions of the premises.