Confirmed COVID-19 Case Visits Hotel Where 'KCC Seonsudan' Stayed... Men's Professional Basketball Regular League 'Temporarily Suspended'

Korean men's professional basketball has been holding games without spectators since the 26th. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Lim Juhyung] As news spread that a confirmed case of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) had visited the hotel where the Jeonju KCC men's professional basketball team was staying, the Korean Basketball League (KBL) decided on the 29th to temporarily suspend the regular season schedule.

Accordingly, the current league schedule will proceed normally only up to the 5 PM game, and will be suspended starting from March 1.

Earlier, the temporary suspension was decided after news broke that a confirmed case had visited the Ramada Hotel in Jeonju where the KCC team was staying.

Jeonju City reportedly disclosed the confirmed case's movement path via a safety alert message from 4:44 PM to 4:46 PM on the 28th.

According to the message, the confirmed case is a resident of Daegu who visited Jeonju for testing.

The individual was tested at an outdoor screening clinic from 2:10 PM to 3:30 PM that day, and checked into the hotel where the KCC players were staying around 4:11 PM.

The problem is that the KCC players also ate at the same place where the confirmed case had breakfast.

Regarding this, Choi Hyunggil, KCC team manager, stated, "A confirmed case was found at the players' hotel," and added, "The players are currently very anxious."

Although the players were not classified as direct contacts, it is known that they are experiencing considerable anxiety. Ultimately, the KBL decided to temporarily suspend the league.

Meanwhile, the men's professional basketball games have been held without spectators since the 26th.