The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) announced today (12 January) that due to an insufficient number of lifeguards on duty, the lifesaving services at Silverstrand Beach in Sai Kung are suspended until further notice.
Lifeguards General Union chairman Anson Tang Tsz-on said today that Silverstrand Beach was supposed to have six lifeguards on duty, but only two were available, as four were on sick leave with flu. Therefore LCSD had to raise a red flag, thus stopping life-saving service. However, the guards at the beach will continue to provide emergency services.
He said that as the swimming season begins, lifeguards are very busy, so most will choose to take vacation time off in the winter. In addition, in winter they have training including life-saving and other qualifications. He said that there is a total of 13 lifeguards for the area, and the training coupled with the winter flu peak season meant that only two lifeguards were available for working outdoors, therefore they had to stop the service.
UPDATE: Lifesaving services were resumed at the beach this morning (13 January)
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