KOTA KINABALU: The state Youth and Sports Ministry has issued detailed guidelines for swimming pool operators and swimmers as measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
These include ensuring all operators establish a usage schedule based on rotation and preparation of emergency case management procedures.
Its minister Phoong Jin Zhe said the number of swimming pool users at a time would depend on the size of the place to avoid congestion.
"All pool operators must also provide disinfection equipment for each session before, during, and after usage.
"For swimming pools under the supervision of the Sabah Sports Board, the operating hours are fixed from 6am to 7.30pm only," he said in a statement, today.
He added water sports activities allowed to be carried out in swimming pools were diving, training, recreational, and swimming lessons.
The state government had yesterday allowed the opening of swimming activity, three days after Senior Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that recreational swimming pool activities could resume from July 1.
A check at the Likas Sports Complex aquatic centre here today saw ground staff carrying cleaning and maintenance works on the Olympic-size swimming pool, the springboard and diving platform pool area.
The public pools at the sports complex remain closed until further notice but ground staff said the swimming pools were ready to be used at any time.
Among the activities strictly prohibited under the guidelines were the use of additional amenities such as sauna and jacuzzi; hosting tournaments and competitions; and sharing of items such as goggles, nose clips, cap, kicking pad, towel, and others.
Phoong also said that those with dangerous contagious diseases and skin diseases were not allowed to use the pool, while senior citizens and disabled persons were discouraged from using the pool for the time being.
He also said children below 12 were not encouraged to visit the swimming pools.