People can use the indoor facilities of 83 sports centres, swim at any of 35 public pools and browse through six major museums run by the Government, all at no charge on July 1 and four Sundays in July.

Those who wish to reserve a time slot have to obtain a permit in person on the Mondays before each open days (June 23 and 30, and July 7, 14 and 21) at the venue they plan to use.

Each venue Booking Office will distribute one permit per person on a first-come, first-served basis as long as open time slots last.

Out and about: Director of Leisure & Cultural Services Anissa Wong says the five Open Days in July fit in perfectly with the Government's Relaunch Hong Kong campaign. So why not take a dip at Kowloon Park Swimming Pool, or stroll through the Museum of Coastal Defence?

People who wish to use the swimming pools and the museums need only show up at the venue of their choice, where they will be admitted subject to the normal capacity restrictions.

"This is an initiative which fits in perfectly with the Government's Relaunch Hong Kong campaign, which is designed to demonstrate that Hong Kong is still a world-class city and that not only have we brought [SARS] under control but we are shaking off its dampening effects on the economy and on morale," said Director of Leisure & Cultural Services Anissa Wong.

"It also dovetails with the Department of Health's appeal to the public to get more exercise in order to strengthen their physiques and build up resistance to disease.''

In the longer term, the Open Days programme promotes one of the most important missions of the Leisure & Cultural Services Department !V to enrich the quality of life for all through sports and culture, she added.

This isn't the first time that the department has staged an open day. It rolled out the concept on October 1, 2000, throwing open the doors of its facilities in honour of the new millennium.

It was a hit with the public. "But that was only one day," Ms Wong observed. "This time, with five Open Days in the same month, we're operating on a much bigger scale.

"Based on our experience in 2000, we expect a total of about 600,000 people to take part over the five days."

For more information on the Open Days, please visit the LCSD website or call 2414 5555.