Modernizing swimming pool legislation is being debated by the Parliamentary Home Affairs Committee, with MPs citing the need for effective controls and proper licensing, and that 800 of the 1.200 swimming pools are unlicensed.
The issue was initially promoted by a law proposal in 2019 by EDEK Member of Parliament Ilias Myrianthous, with the executive power subsequently submitting a bill.
In their statements after the Committee session, the MPs spoke of an outdated legislative framework that has been in place since 1992, stressing the need for effective controls and proper licensing of swimming pools to prevent drowning. At the same time, they reported that 800 of the 1.200 swimming pools do not have a license.
The Chairperson of the Committee, AKEL Member of Parliament, Marina Nikolaou, stated that the new legislative framework comes to replace the previous one in force since 1992, which she described as "obsolete". The new law, as he said, will be governed by a special framework regarding mainly the control and licensing of swimming pools, which are divided into 3 categories.
Ms. Nikolaou stated that "we live in a place that is a tourist destination", indicating at the same time that "it is an issue that we must look at very warmly".
Answering a question, the AKEL Member of Parliament explained that, with the way in which swimming pools have been divided into 3 types, the operating license also includes the number of safety supervisors, mainly with regard to types 1 and 2. with the aim of the safety of bathers and the avoidance of drowning.
Responding to another question, Ms. Nikolaou stated that the new legislative framework also provides for health checks, adding that the Health Services, which will be invited to be present during the article-based discussion.
Finally, he noted that "the Interior Committee for years has been asking for the tabling of this bill precisely because we perceive the need mainly in terms of safety and health security", as well as for the proper functioning of swimming pools, which - as he said – it will also help the business world and give bathers maximum safety and protection.
For his part, the DISY Member of Parliament, Nikos Sykas, spoke of an outdated law of 1992, adding that the new bill comes to largely regulate those that have been suspended for the last 30 years.
"Of the 1.200 water reservoirs, 800 are essentially unlicensed", he underlined, stating that the bill has a "positive sign, but a lot of improvements need to be made". As he said, our priority is to save lives, to have the most important control and at the same time to have responsibilities, but also punishment for those who do not do their job well".
Answering a question, Mr. Sykas said "that the safety of our lives is about science and prevention", noting that he considers it necessary that a person legally responsible for a swimming pool should be a lifeguard, know the basics of first aid and how to manage human life'. "Without control and without legal responsibility, everyone's personal responsibility is reduced," he said.
Responding to another question, the DISY Member of Parliament noted that the Committee will proceed with the article-by-article debate and has requested that any new opinions and suggestions be presented to it "because it is really a responsibility for us as well".
Source: KYPE
