Seoul City Maintains 'Sustainable Social Distancing'... Gradual Reopening of Libraries and More

Cultural Facilities to Implement Reservation System from the 6th... Elementary After-School Care Centers to Open After the 20th

On the 24th, the phrase "We Are All Heroes" was displayed on the lawn of Seoul Plaza. The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that starting from this day, supportive messages will be decorated on the lawn of Seoul Plaza to express gratitude to citizens who participated in social distancing. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] As the government has shifted from 'social distancing' to 'everyday distancing' to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), the Seoul Metropolitan Government has also proposed a 'sustainable Seoul-style everyday distancing' to its citizens.

Cultural facilities such as libraries, museums, and art galleries, which had been closed, will be gradually reopened but will initially operate on a reservation basis.

On the 6th, Seo Jeong-hyeop, the First Deputy Mayor of Seoul, stated at a COVID-19 briefing held at Seoul City Hall, "In line with the government's everyday distancing policy, Seoul will establish a quarantine and medical response system and promote everyday distancing together with citizens in three major areas: individual, social, and vulnerable group quarantine."

First, step-by-step quarantine management considering risk will be applied to public facilities, private facilities, and urban gatherings in Seoul. Public facilities will resume operation, but initially, only 50% of the capacity will be opened in principle to ensure citizens can use the facilities safely, and deficiencies will be identified and improved through intensive monitoring.

Regarding professional sports games, baseball opened with no spectators from the 5th, and soccer is preparing to open on the 8th.

Museums and art galleries such as the Seoul Museum of History and the Seoul Museum of Art will accept online reservations on a first-come, first-served basis through the Seoul Public Service Reservation System, limit viewing time to within 2 hours, and allow entry of 10 to fewer than 100 people depending on the facility size.

The Seoul Library will operate an online reservation lending service from the 6th and reopen the reading rooms for lending and returning services from the 26th. From June, visitors will be allowed to read on-site, but seating will be limited to 50% of total seats and gradually expanded.

Performance venues such as Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, Namsan Arts Center, and Donuimun Museum Village will operate with 30% of total seats from the 6th and gradually expand thereafter.

Additionally, Mokdong Ice Rink will reopen on the 6th, and Jamsil Swimming Pool from the 11th, gradually resuming operations by starting with lessons and training where users can be identified to minimize infection concerns, operating at about 50% of capacity and then expanding.

Elementary care facilities such as Our Neighborhood Care Center and local children's centers plan to open after May 20, coinciding with school reopening.

Private facilities will also resume operation in principle, but all visitors are requested to follow quarantine rules such as temperature checks, facility ventilation, and disinfection of frequently used areas. Religious facilities, entertainment venues, karaoke rooms, and PC rooms, which have a high risk of group infection, are recommended to record and keep user information such as usage time, name, and contact details.

Urban gatherings and demonstrations involving unspecified large numbers of people, although outdoors, have a high risk of group infection and difficulty in tracing infection routes if confirmed cases occur, so they will be prohibited until the COVID-19 situation is safe.

Deputy Mayor Seo said, "We want to cautiously take the first step on the path where 'quarantine and daily life' coexist together with citizens," and requested, "As we have done so far, please maintain vigilance within your own living areas and cooperate together."

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