The Environmental Protection Department has rated water quality at Clear Water Bay Second, Deep Water Bay, Silverstrand, Big Wave Bay, Middle Bay, Stanley Main and Repulse Bay Beaches 'good', and Golden Beach 'fair' for this weekend.

Among them, four beaches in the Southern District - Big Wave Bay, Middle Bay, Repulse Bay and Stanley Main Beach - will be open from March 1. 

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.

Many beaches are likely to be more polluted during and after periods of heavy rain. Bathers should avoid swimming at beaches for up to three days after a storm or heavy rainfall.