Wando Sinji Myeongsasimni Beach Implements Safe Reservation System

Setting Reservation-Based Operation Sections to Distribute Beachgoers and Alleviate Congestion at Beaches

Scenery of Wando Sinji Myeongsasimni Beach (Photo by Wando-gun)

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Kyung-pil] Wando Sinji Myeongsasimni Beach, the first in Korea to receive the international 'Blue Flag' certification awarded to eco-friendly and safe beaches, will implement a ‘Safe Beach Reservation System’ during its opening period.

According to Wando County on the 24th, to protect visitors coming to Myeongsasimni Beach for summer vacation from COVID-19 and to proactively block community infections, a reservation system will be operated for 37 days from July 17 to August 23.

The ‘Beach Reservation System’ is a policy proposed by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to reduce crowding among beach users in order to prevent COVID-19 infections.

Sinji Myeongsasimni Beach will apply the reservation system starting July 17, and to use the beach, visitors must make a reservation in advance through the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries’ Sea Travel website reservation system or can also make reservations on-site.

Visitors must undergo a temperature check at designated entrances, and users must follow beach operation guidelines such as maintaining social distancing (securing a 2m distance).

Users of facilities such as parasols are required to record their personal information, and in case of confirmed cases, contacts will be quickly identified.

This reflects the situation on-site where control is difficult due to frequent movement of large numbers of users typical of beaches.

Since Sinji Myeongsasimni Beach stretches approximately 3.8 km, it was judged difficult to apply the system to the entire area, so the reservation operation sections will be separately designated to distribute visitors within an appropriate capacity.

Shower rooms and public restrooms will be operated under a total volume system to prevent simultaneous crowding, and social distancing will be enforced.

Additionally, the seven parking lots operated at Myeongsasimni Beach will be inspected hourly, and parking lots with high density will be closed to entry, directing vehicles to other parking lots to disperse visitors.

Wando County submitted a project plan to Jeollanam-do for efficient operation of the beach reservation system, requesting funding for thermal cameras, personnel wages, and straw parasol installation projects.

In particular, the county plans to actively utilize surveys of users to identify issues and areas for improvement in this policy to foster a reservation culture at tourist sites within Wando.

A Wando County official said, “Although the beach reservation system, being operated for the first time, may cause some inconvenience and difficulties, safety will be prioritized as there is concern about increased crowding of beach users. We will prove the reputation of Sinji Myeongsasimni Beach, the first in Korea to receive the Blue Flag, and make this a great opportunity to promote the image of clean Wando nationwide.”

Meanwhile, to spread the image of a safe beach and relieve the psychological stress accumulated by the public due to COVID-19, a beach drive-in theater is also planned to operate next month.

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