Some Swimming Baths Are To Be Reopened

Chronicle (Levin), 3 February 1948, Page 5

Some Swimming Baths Are To Be Reopened

Press Association)

(Per

WELLINGTON, Feb. 2. A slight modilicat ion of the restrietiqns imposed in ihe \Vellingtou and Nelson-Marlbo rough distriets as a ])re caution against tlie spread of poliomyelitis, bv jiermittmg tlie reopening ot some of tlie ptiblii- swiiiniiing l^aths, tlie use of which is at present prohibited, was annoniiced tliis evening bv the District Aledical Oflicer of Health, Dr.' Hubert Sinitit. Special comlitions gov erning tlie use of tliese baths are now being discussed witli the local authorities concerned. Dr. Siaith said. it was now three weeks sinee tlie last suspe'cted case of poliomyelitis was reported and over four weeks since the last ]iositive case was notifieil from the WelJingtqn metropolitaii area, a position for which \V elliugton, lie thought, deserveil congratulations, while in the Nelson- Alarlborougli district no positive cases had been notified. All those who had so willinglv coojierated in obeving tlie restrictions niight feel they had con t l'ibut ed to this result and* even those few who might have felt that the lo -al restrictions had been unduly onerous, niight nevertheless agree that tlie results ajipeared to have justilied

1 1; e ])recautions t'aken. "In view of Wellington 's happv position. it is felt some slight easiug ot the present restrictions may bo con tomplated though at present only in n gard lo swirnniing baths," said Dr. Smith. "After consultation with the Director-Geueral of Health, it has been decided to reopen certain of the publtc svi'iinini ng baths in the Wellington and Nelson-Alarlborough health districts where considerations of safety would a ipear to warrant it and subjpct to sjteciul condit ions as to water purity. li.uitation of the numbers of users, etc. Children under 1(5 will still be ex--luded." Dr. Smith said discussions were in psogress with the local authorities upon tthom devolved the preparation and caro of the baths. as to the earliest date by which certain baths might be reopened and tlie publie would be in fornied wlien arrangenierits were com pleted. If at any tjme the local poliomyelitis si tuai ion should deteriorate. the position of the reopened swimmint' l.-iths would, of cyur.se, have to be reconsidered.