Screen Golf and Gyms Open... But '9 PM Closing' Shows Temperature Differences Between Industries (Comprehensive)

Indoor Sports Facilities Allowed Limited Operation from 18th with Capacity Restriction of 1 Person per 8㎡
Intense Group Exercises like Zumba, Tae Bo, Spinning, Aerobics Still Prohibited
Further Controversy over Effectiveness and Fairness Inevitable

Image source=Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] Indoor sports facilities such as screen golf and gyms will reopen starting from the 18th under conditions that allow one person per 8㎡ of facility area. While related industries expressed anticipation as they can resume operations after a long suspension, some sectors have voiced dissatisfaction, stating that measures like closing time restrictions are ineffective, suggesting ongoing complaints.

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) finalized adjustments to social distancing measures on the 16th, changing guidelines to permit indoor sports facilities, currently under gathering bans, to operate provided they comply with quarantine rules. The current 2.5-level social distancing in the metropolitan area and level 2 in non-metropolitan areas, along with the special quarantine measure banning private gatherings of five or more people, which were set to end on the 17th, will be extended for two more weeks until the 31st. However, the gathering ban on indoor sports facilities including gyms, screen golf centers, and billiard halls will be partially lifted.

Specifically, operating hours for indoor sports facilities are allowed only until 9 PM, and the capacity must be limited to one person per 8㎡ of facility area. These facilities must post the allowed number of users at entrances and other visible locations. Screen golf centers can open under the condition that no more than four people enter per room, as the ban on private gatherings of five or more continues to apply. Additionally, except for swimming, shower rooms inside indoor sports facilities cannot be used. Public sports facilities will also resume operations at the same level as similar private facilities.

An owner of a screen golf center in the metropolitan area said, "Since the government guidelines were announced, we have been sending messages to members about resuming operations," but added, "With operating hours limited to 9 PM, we are concerned about how to handle the evening hours when customers tend to gather." A gym owner in Seoul also said, "Most office workers exercise after 7 or 8 PM on weekdays," expressing concern that "if we cannot disperse users, even existing members might leave."

Facilities with many nighttime users, such as billiard halls and karaoke rooms, expressed dissatisfaction, saying that limiting operating hours to 9 PM does not help their operations at all. In response, Kwon Deok-cheol, the first deputy head of the CDSCH (Minister of Health and Welfare), explained, "After 9 PM is a time when additional activities are more likely to occur, increasing the risk and concern of (COVID-19) infection," and added, "During the two-week extension period, we will monitor the trend of confirmed cases and reconsider the issue of operating hours (extension)."

According to the adjustment plan, indoor sports facilities offering intense group exercises such as Zumba, Tae Bo, spinning, and aerobics will continue to be subject to gathering bans, which may raise fairness concerns within the related industries.

Meanwhile, nationwide ski resorts, where dining and caf? facilities had been subject to gathering bans, will be allowed to open under conditions of stopping operations after 9 PM and limiting capacity to one-third, while adhering to quarantine rules. Auxiliary facilities such as changing rooms and game rooms will limit the number of users to one person per 8㎡ of facility area. The suspension of shuttle bus operations between ski resorts and other regions will remain in place.