Used by an unspecified majority
No related regulations, so no sanctions available
Potential new trigger in the spreading phase
Skiers are lined up densely waiting to board the lift at a ski resort in Gyeonggi-do. The photo is not directly related to the article. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] The so-called 'season rooms,' where an unspecified number of people book accommodations near ski resorts to stay together, are being pointed out as potential flashpoints in the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). Concerns are growing as the first confirmed case among season room users emerged last weekend.
According to health authorities on the 15th, a confirmed case occurred on the 13th at accommodation A (season room) located in Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do. The confirmed patient, a resident of Songpa-gu, Seoul, arrived at the season room on the 11th and reportedly returned home after learning on the 12th that a family member tested positive for COVID-19. Although the patient did not use the ski resort or nearby restaurants during the one-night, two-day stay, health authorities confirmed that the ski equipment rental shop within the ski resort was used. Dozens of people who had contact with the patient at the season room were placed under self-quarantine. This is the first time a COVID-19 confirmed case has been reported among season room users near ski resorts.
Season rooms refer to accommodations shared by 5 to 20 people who split the lodging fees between November and February. Around ski resorts, these season rooms operate in various forms such as detached houses or apartments. They are characterized by an unspecified number of people, including acquaintances, gathering in a confined space.
The season room used by the confirmed patient is an apartment-type unit on the 14th floor, one of 125 units. The 'host' who rents the season room recruits 'guests' and splits the lodging fees, so the host benefits more as the number of guests increases. The exact number of people who shared the same room with the confirmed patient is unknown, but it is reported that up to 20 people stayed in a 115㎡ (approximately 35 pyeong) unit with four rooms in the apartment season room. In total, hundreds of people lived collectively in the entire apartment building. A guest who stayed in the building, Mr. Mo, said, "The building is old, so the space was cramped and ventilation was poor," and described the season room atmosphere as "After skiing, people would have gatherings or sleep crowded in a small space, then go skiing again the next day."
With daily new COVID-19 cases consistently exceeding 700 to 800, there are currently no regulations to restrict the operation of such season rooms. Moreover, ski resorts are classified as outdoor sports facilities and are not subject to operating hour restrictions even under social distancing level 2.5. The Pyeongchang-gun Health and Medical Center stated, "We are conducting diagnostic tests and epidemiological investigations on contacts."
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