Due to a suspected red tide sighting, the red flag has been hoisted at Silverstrand Beach. The Leisure & Cultural Services Department has advised beach-goers not to swim at the beach.

Three winter beaches have been rated "good" and one "fair" this week, according to the Environmental Protection Department's latest grading of water quality.

Among the four beaches opened all year round, Clear Water Bay Second Beach, Deep Water Bay and Silverstrand Beach have been rated "good". Golden Beach has been downgraded from "good" to "fair". The change is generally within the normal range of fluctuation of the beaches' bacteriological water quality.

Seven gazetted beaches - Anglers', Approach, Ting Kau, Casam, Gemini, Hoi Mei Wan and Lido - are closed to swimmers year round because of poor water quality. People should not swim at these beaches.

As many beaches are likely to be more polluted than their grades suggested during and after periods of heavy rain, bathers should avoid swimming at beaches for up to three days after a storm or heavy rainfall.