Returning 'Baseball Stadium Chicken' and 'Movie Theater Popcorn'... Gradual Allowance of Eating in Multi-Use Facilities

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] The consumption of food and beverages inside baseball stadiums and movie theaters, which had been banned to prevent the spread of COVID-19, will be allowed again on a limited basis. Fans will be able to enjoy the popular treats of chicken and popcorn at baseball stadiums and movie theaters once more.

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters of the Ministry of Health and Welfare held a "Public Hearing on the COVID-19 Step-by-Step Return to Normal Life Implementation Plan" at 2 p.m. on the 25th at the Korea Press Center, unveiling a draft government plan for the daily recovery strategy. This draft includes provisions to allow limited consumption of food and beverages inside multi-use facilities that were previously prohibited unless they were dining or cafe establishments, in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Health authorities had banned food consumption in most multi-use facilities such as study rooms, indoor sports facilities, and trains, judging that removing masks to eat or drink increases the risk of COVID-19 infection. However, they now see the need to lift these restrictions on food consumption within such multi-use facilities and are considering easing them after the second phase of the step-by-step return to normal life plan.

To this end, pilot operations will be conducted in indoor movie theaters and outdoor sports viewing areas, which are assessed to have a low risk of infection, by allowing only fully vaccinated individuals to use the facilities or by operating zones exclusively for fully vaccinated people. Based on evaluations of these pilots, the plan is to expand food consumption permissions to all multi-use facilities.

Accordingly, starting next month with the step-by-step return to normal life, late-night screenings at movie theaters will be fully permitted, groups will be able to sit together, and patrons will be able to enjoy popcorn and cola. Currently, only non-alcoholic beverages with lids are allowed to be brought into and consumed inside screening rooms, but food and beverages will be permitted in screening rooms where only fully vaccinated individuals, PCR-negative confirmed persons, and children and adolescents under 18?who are exceptions to the vaccination and negative test verification system?are admitted.

However, concerns have been raised that if movie theaters operate all screening sessions exclusively for fully vaccinated individuals, it could lead to discriminatory measures against the unvaccinated. Son Young-rae, head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, explained, "We will discuss with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and related associations the possibility of all movie theaters switching to this incentive-based operation, evaluate the extent of such a transition, and consider supplementary measures."

Currently, in the metropolitan area, only 30% of the seating capacity is allowed for fully vaccinated individuals, and outdoor sports stadiums such as baseball and soccer, where food consumption like chicken is not permitted, will see an increase in allowed attendance to 50% of capacity regardless of vaccination status starting next month. Additionally, limited consumption of food such as chicken and pizza will be permitted.

Food consumption will be allowed if a "vaccinated-only zone" is operated where only those who have verified vaccination status or PCR-negative results, or those exempt from the vaccination and negative test verification system such as adolescents under 18, are admitted. This zone can be filled to 100% capacity. However, the total number of attendees across all zones cannot exceed 50% of the venue's capacity.

However, this measure applies only to outdoor sports stadiums and does not apply to indoor baseball stadiums such as 'Gocheok Sky Dome' or indoor sports venues like volleyball arenas. In these venues, attendance will increase to 50% of capacity regardless of vaccination status, but food consumption will remain prohibited.