Concerns Over New Coronavirus Spread... Early Closure of Seoul Plaza and Nodeul Island Skating Rinks

Seoul Plaza (9th) and Nodeul Island (16th) Skate Rinks to Close Earlier
Temporary Suspension of Experience Events Including Royal Guard Changing Ceremony and Namsan Beacon Ceremony

On the 28th of last month, as public anxiety grew over the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia), citizens wore masks while skating at Seoul Plaza Skate Park. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] Due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia), the skating rinks installed at Seoul Plaza and Nodeul Island will close early.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the two skating rinks will not operate from the 1st. Originally, the Seoul Plaza skating rink was scheduled to operate until the 9th, and the Nodeul Island skating rink until the 16th.

The city had strengthened infection prevention measures by installing thermal cameras at the Seoul Plaza skating rink from the 30th of last month to monitor visitors' body temperatures, but decided to close early due to increasing public anxiety.

For the safety of visitors, the traditional cultural reenactment events of the Royal Guard Changing Ceremony and Namsan Beacon Ceremony will also be suspended from the 1st.

Since the 28th, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has required performers participating in the events to wear masks and provided hand sanitizers in performers' waiting rooms and event venues, making every effort to prevent and contain the novel coronavirus. However, as confirmed cases are increasing, it was decided to temporarily suspend the events to ensure the safety of citizens attending the events.

From 2019 until January 31st, the total number of event attendees reached 1,352,584.

Although performances and experiential events are suspended, the guard ceremonies continuously held in front of Daehanmun and Sungnyemun will continue. Whether to resume these will be decided based on the future trend of the novel coronavirus spread.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.