The Union of Cities and Kinneret Authority have decided to extend lifeguard hours until 19:00 daily during swimming season. This applies to fifteen beaches under the authority of the union, in the area of the Kinneret, effective immediately, with the exception of separate beaches.

Union of Cities officials explain August is their busiest month of the year, and beaches are still quite full after 17:00, at time lifeguards used to knock off for the day. They explain in an effort to prevent drownings, amid a realization swimmers are not going to go home at 17:00, lifeguard hours in the Kinneret area are being extended, two additional hours daily.

The new longer hours will begin in separate beaches along the Kinneret on 11 Menachem Av (15 August), after Tisha B’Av and will be in effect Sundays to Thursdays.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)