Hong Kong swim coaches lose income over pool closures as the government cites health risks from activities out of the water
- Swim coach operators say up to 36 weeks of business may have been lost during various lockdown restrictions over the past year
- Home Affairs Bureau says there are health risks associated with mask-off activities by large groups of people near the pool area
Swimming pools remain closed during the Covid-19 pandemic because of the health risks related to large numbers of people gathering out of the water, according to the government’s Home Affairs Bureau.
Swimming coaches have complained that the government had yet to offer an explanation as to why pools and beaches remain closed when other sports and public places such as tennis courts and shopping malls are allowed to operate.
“Regarding swimming pools, the health risks associated with mask-off activities near the pools is still a concern especially when there is large number of swimmers,” a HAB spokes told the Post in an email statement. “The government is monitoring the epidemic situation closely and will consider reopening of swimming pools when circumstances allow.”
Swim coaching operators who cater to thousands of learners of all ages across Hong Kong have said that their businesses have been restricted to between 16 and 20 weeks over the past year and many are on the verge of collapse.
Pools and beaches have been closed since early December when Hong Kong experienced a fourth wave of Covid-19 cases. On February 4, the government allowed the reopening of “specific outdoor sports premises for activities involving little physical contact” before further relaxing restrictions on February 18 for all sports premises.