Reporting for duty: Secretary for Home Affairs Dr Patrick Ho meets a lifeguard who showed up for work at Sha Tin Jockey Club Swimming Pool despite a strike by the lifeguards' union.

The Jockey Club Yan Oi Tong and Fanling Swimming Pools have been closed while 10 beaches have no live-saving service due to the August 1 lifeguards' union strike.

The Leisure & Cultural Services Department said Chung Hom Kok, Repulse Bay, Middle Bay, St Stephen's, Turtle Cove, Kadoorie, Cafeteria Old, Cafeteria New, South Bay and Butterfly Beaches have been affected.

Good turn-out

Visiting Sha Tin Swimming Pool this morning, Secretary for Home Affairs Patrick Ho said 13 public pools remain open while the other 21 are partially open. He said more lifeguards showed up today than expected - a turn-out of 65%.

Dr Ho said the oursourcing of management work at new facilities is a Government policy which is working well, and will not affect current staff. He added dialogue with the union in this regard will continue.

Deputy Director of Leisure & Cultural Services Alan Siu said information on the status of aquatic facilities will be announced on television and radio, the department's website and on 1823.

He said 1,300 swimming classes will need to be cancelled, affecting 30,000 students. The department will make alternative arrangements for making up the missed lessons or offer refunds.