"Do Not Come for Cherry Blossom Viewing" ... Weekend Closure of Yeouido Hangang Park Parking Lot

Strengthened Enforcement of Shade Tent Installations in Hangang Park ... Intensive Guidance and Crackdown Until the End of April

As the clear spring weather continues, on the 30th, citizens visiting Yeouido Yunjung-ro in Seoul, where cherry blossoms are in full bloom, are strolling along the cherry blossom path, enjoying the atmosphere of spring. The pedestrian walkway on Yunjung-ro will be closed to vehicles from April 1 to 11, and vehicle traffic will be restricted from April 2 to 10. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 1st that it will close parking lots 1 to 4 at Yeouido Hangang Park and install barriers at six entrances and exits during the weekends of the 4th, 5th, and 12th.

This special response measure was taken to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) as spring visitors flock during the cherry blossom blooming season.

However, parking lot 5 in front of Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital will continue to operate inevitably, considering the parking demand of hospital shift workers on holidays.

Seoul City will also cooperate with Yeongdeungpo District Office to close 15 vehicle and pedestrian control zones around Yeouiseo-ro and entrances and exits of Hangang Park, and will minimize citizen use of Hangang Park by posting promotional materials and installing related facilities.

Furthermore, the installation of shade tents in Hangang Park will be intensively monitored and prohibited until April 30, one month later than usual, as installing shade tents increases the risk of COVID-19 infection in enclosed spaces.

The Yeouido Cherry Blossom Festival, which is usually held around this time every year, was canceled; however, park visitors in the fourth week of March increased by about 28%, from 1,119,000 last year to 1,434,000 this year. The city analyzed this as a result of increased visits from young people with nowhere to go and families with children welcoming spring.

Seoul City also continues to broadcast announcements to ensure compliance with 'social distancing' in Hangang Park and has instructed convenience stores to set up major product sales counters, such as ramen cooking stations, outside.

Shin Yong-mok, head of the Hangang Project Headquarters of Seoul City, said, "We have prepared special operation measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 during the cherry blossom blooming season and to enhance the safety of citizens using Hangang Park," and urged, "Please refrain from cherry blossom viewing this year to practice social distancing."

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