Hong Kong swimming community says government has given no scientific answer as to why pools remain closed
- Hong Kong pools have been closed for close to 300 days since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic
- Local coaches say they have been given no explanation as to why swimming has not resumed
Hong Kong’s swimming community held a press conference at the Legislative Council on Saturday in a bid to get answers from the government as to why the city’s pools are still closed.
“We’re drowning,” said Jayne Wright, the director of swimming at the Harry Wright International Swim School, which is the largest swim school in Hong Kong and employs more than 30 full-time staff. “We need the government to throw us a lifeline … and we’ve had no financial help from the government either.”
Approaching 300 days of cumulative lockdown since the pandemic started, Wright said they’ve tried reaching out to basically anyone within the government they think might give them an answer as to why other sports have been allowed to resume, but not swimming.
“When we do get a response, it’s a standard reply about fighting the virus, which gives us nothing to go on.”
Starting in February, the Hong Kong government began allowing the resumption of various sports and leisure activities. This started with outdoor sports such as golf and tennis, and now includes the reopening of gyms and fitness studios. Sports such as football, basketball and rugby have also been allowed to resume.