Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism Establishes Separate Quarantine Guidelines for Winter Sports Facilities Including Ski Resorts
Ski Resorts Still 'Baglebagle' Crowded
Experts: "Voluntary Compliance with Quarantine Guidelines Is the Only Option"
On the afternoon of the 6th, skiers waiting in line to board the lift were densely gathered at a ski resort in Gangwon-do. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] "Does it make sense to close academies where people only study wearing masks but keep ski resorts open?"
Recently, despite the spread of COVID-19, some ski resorts have been crowded, raising concerns among citizens. Even though it is outdoors, social distancing and other quarantine guidelines may not be observed at places like lift boarding entrances, and restaurants or snack bars inside ski resorts are pointed out as increasing the risk of infection.
As a result, the government has ordered ski resorts in areas with social distancing level 2.5, such as the metropolitan area, to stop operations after 9 p.m. Some voices criticize this, saying it is unfair to close facilities like academies while operating ski resorts crowded with people. Experts worry about a so-called "balloon effect," where citizens from the metropolitan area may flock to ski resorts in non-metropolitan areas with fewer restrictions.
On the 9th, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced that, after consultations with quarantine authorities and related industries, winter sports facilities will be designated as general management facilities, and guidelines for social distancing to be observed at winter sports facilities will be prepared and distributed.
Accordingly, indoor facilities such as ice rinks will be subject to ▲a limit of one person per 4㎡ at level 1 ▲operation suspension after 9 p.m. at level 2 ▲and gathering bans from level 2.5.
For outdoor facilities like ski resorts, ▲three basic quarantine rules will be mandatory at level 1 ▲entry will be limited to half the capacity at level 1.5 ▲to one-third of capacity at level 2 ▲operation will be prohibited after 9 p.m. at level 2.5 ▲and gatherings will be banned from level 3.
In summary, ski resorts in the metropolitan area with social distancing level 2.5 are prohibited from operating after 9 p.m., and ski resorts in non-metropolitan areas at level 2 are limited to one-third of their capacity.
At the opening ceremony of the ski resort held on the 1st at Yongpyong Ski Resort in Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon, Yongpyong Resort officials are performing a mask-wearing reminder. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Citizens are raising critical voices against these guidelines. They argue that it is unfair to stop the operation of academies while allowing ski resorts, which attract large crowds, to operate with limited restrictions. Earlier, on the 7th, the government had ordered all academies to suspend operations to minimize students' outings during the winter vacation.
Kim (24), a university student, said, "It doesn't make sense to open ski resorts when students can't even go to academies," adding, "Being outdoors doesn't guarantee complete safety. Many people stand close together in lines at ski resorts, so how can it be safe?"
She continued, "Few people just ski and leave immediately after. Most will eat and stay overnight nearby, so stronger measures seem necessary."
In particular, concerns have been raised that social distancing is unlikely to be maintained at facilities such as lift boarding areas and equipment rental shops. Also, inside ski resorts, guidelines like mask-wearing may not be followed in snack bars and changing rooms, further increasing worries.
On the afternoon of the 6th, skiers waiting to board the lift were densely lined up at a ski resort in Gangwon-do. [Image source=Yonhap News]
On social media, photos taken at ski resorts are being posted one after another. Some of these show people not properly wearing masks while taking pictures, violating quarantine rules.
Consequently, there are calls for the government to strengthen regulations on ski resorts. Even if masks are worn, thousands of visitors gather, so quarantine measures should be tightened or operations should be stopped altogether.
Lee (27), an office worker, said, "In the end, only those who stayed home following quarantine guidelines suffer," adding, "In this situation where COVID-19 cases are not decreasing, going to ski resorts is incomprehensible and selfish. If this continues, cluster infections at ski resorts are likely. We need to respond proactively before it's too late."
Experts warn about the "balloon effect." Professor Kim Woojoo, an infectious disease specialist at Korea University Guro Hospital, said, "The metropolitan area is at social distancing level 2.5, but non-metropolitan areas are at level 2, so some citizens seem to be going to the provinces," adding, "Especially since many ski resorts are located in non-metropolitan areas, they mostly remain at level 2. This loosens quarantine guidelines and raises concerns about the balloon effect." He added, "Citizens have no choice but to voluntarily comply with social distancing and other quarantine guidelines."
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