In light of the latest COVID-19 development, the Leisure & Cultural Services Department will reopen 33 public swimming pools on Thursday from 6.30am to 10pm for three sessions daily with two breaks.

Special measures will be adopted at these swimming pools, including limiting the number of users to maintain distance among swimmers and arranging body temperature screening for patrons before they are allowed entry.

Shower cubicles and shower heads will be opened alternately to ensure appropriate distance between shower facility users, while group gatherings of more than eight people in the pools will be prohibited.

Spectator stands at swimming pools will be temporarily closed. People are advised to wear surgical masks before and after swimming, as well as when lining up to enter the pools.

Public Swimming Pool Monthly Tickets will be available at designated booking offices of Public Swimming Pool Monthly Tickets & Leisure Link Booking Offices at District Leisure Services Offices from tomorrow. The processing of block booking applications in or after June will be expedited when the swimming pools have reopened.

Additionally, 15 gazetted beaches will be reopened on May 23. Lifeguard services will be provided from 9am to 6pm daily and extended from 8am to 7pm on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays during the peak period from June to August.

Beach-goers have to comply with the law that prohibits group gatherings of more than eight people.

To ensure an appropriate distance between shower facility users, only alternate shower cubicles and shower heads will be opened. Crowd control and cleaning work inside changing rooms will be stepped up.

Meanwhile, public facilities of the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) and the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department (AFCD) will also reopen from May 21.

EPD facilities to reopen include visitor centres of EcoPark, T•PARK and WEEE•PARK as well as Fanling, Lung Fu Shan and Mobile Environmental Resource Centres.

All Community Green Stations will resume their visitor and education programmes as well.

Country park barbecue sites and campsites under AFCD management will reopen, except the Lead Mine Pass Campsite which is undergoing maintenance.

Social distancing and precautionary measures will be adopted at the facilities of the two departments.