The Bathing Season Has Officially Started In Belarus

For what can you get a fine of 1260 rubles even on a permitted beach?

Thursday, May 1, the swimming season officially started in Belarus. And although the weather is not very favorable for swimming, it's time to remember where it is allowed to do it in Belarus, and where you can get fined. It should be taken into account that administrative responsibility on the beaches of the country can threaten even on the shore, writes "Telegraf".

Where is it allowed to swim?

Despite the fact that the start of the bathing season has already been officially given, urban and suburban beaches are prepared for the influx of vacationers, outdated benches, sheds and changing rooms have been replaced, it's unlikely to be comfortable to swim in Belarusian reservoirs next weekend. According to the official hydrological bulletin of Belgidromet, the water has not yet warmed up to +18°C (and this is the temperature that OSVOD of Gomel region called optimal for swimming).

While the warmest waters have warmed up the Pripyat and Neman - in some places the water temperature already reaches +16°C, although the temperature variation in different areas is still large. Rescuers strongly recommend to wait for "stable warmth" and not to get into the cool water, risking their lives and health.

But even when the water warms up to more comfortable values, it is still allowed to go into the water not in any reservoirs. In Belarus, places for swimming are strictly regulated. They must be specially equipped for bathing (in particular, restrictive buoys), before the start of the bathing season and the beaches themselves, and the bottom of water bodies must be checked by lifeguards, information boards with safety rules must be installed on the shore. But the most important thing is that lifeguards are on duty in places designated for bathing to guarantee the safety of recreation.

In addition, organized beaches are regularly checked by epidemiologists - they take water samples, checking it for a number of microbiological indicators. If the indicators are exceeded, the beach may be closed or introduce a ban on bathing or restriction for children, as more susceptible to pathogens.

Every year the Ministry of Emergency Situations updates the national map of beaches in Belarus. It is placed on the service "Yandex Maps" in the public domain. Each user can see the number and location of beaches in this or that settlement of the country by clicking on the appropriate geometric marker on the map.

What are the penalties for bathing in prohibited places?

Bathing in prohibited places of rivers, lakes or other bodies of water, according to Article 24.42 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, you can "earn" a fine from 1 to 3 basic units (from 42 to 126 rubles today). Places, where bathing is prohibited, are marked with special signs, but it's not the best idea to be guided only by them, because they are not prohibited from vandals.

But even on the beaches authorized for bathing there are some prohibitions for bathers. Thus, according to the Ministry of Emergency Situations, even on the equipped beaches it is forbidden to:

- enter the water in a state of alcoholic intoxication,

- leave children unattended at the reservoir,

- cling to boats and sit on board,

- jump into the water from boats, boats, moorings,

- swim beyond the buoys,

- give false signals for help.

It is not superfluous to remind about the penalties provided for in the Belarusian legislation for those who, choosing a beach vacation, stay on the shore:

- it is prohibited to build bonfires on the beaches outside the places specially designated for these purposes - a fine of up to 12 basic (i.e. up to 504 rubles),

- it is prohibited to drink alcoholic, low-alcoholic drinks or beer on the beach, as they belong to public places - a fine of up to 8 basic (up to 336 rubles).

And for one more quite common offense in public places you can pay not only a ruble (a fine from 2 to 30 basic, i.e. up to 1260 rubles), but also go to community service or even extended administrative arrest. We are talking about petty hooliganism, which in Belarus includes not only "insulting harassment of citizens," but also foul language in public and other actions that "violate public order, the activities of organizations or the peace of citizens and expressing a clear disrespect for society.

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