With over 30 COVID-19 cases confirmed... Will baseball spectators be allowed entry?

Professional Sports Enter One Month of 'No Spectator Games' Since Last Month
Health Authorities to Announce Social Distancing Guidelines by Stage
Government Plans to Decide on Allowing Spectators Possibly by Weekend
Experts Say "Need to Return to Social Distancing"

On the afternoon of the 11th, a professional baseball game between the SK Wyverns and LG Twins was held at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Songpa-gu, Seoul. LG mascots wearing masks are cheering. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ga-yeon] Attention is focused on whether the format of professional baseball games held without spectators will soon change.

As the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) continues mainly in the metropolitan area, health authorities plan to announce next week a plan to specify response guidelines according to the levels of social distancing. Accordingly, there is growing anticipation that there will be changes to professional baseball games, which have been held without spectators. However, there are also many concerned views. The reason is that if spectators are allowed back, the risk of COVID-19 transmission could increase due to the high density of people in such venues.

Professional baseball and professional soccer have been holding games without spectators since their openings on the 5th and 8th of last month, respectively, to prevent the spread of COVID-19. As games without spectators have continued for over a month, some professional sports fans are raising their voices to allow spectators.

They argue that if preventive measures such as limiting ticket sales to certain seats only, similar to the 'seat distancing' currently implemented in movie theaters, mandatory mask-wearing inside the stadium, and banning food consumption are put in place, it would be possible to safely watch the games.

A man in his 20s, who introduced himself as a fan of a professional baseball team, said, "I think games should have spectators." He added, "Since games are currently held without spectators, each team has fewer ways to generate revenue. If the teams cannot make profits, I believe the damage will ultimately fall directly on the players."

He continued, "Players are probably mentally struggling a lot because they are used to playing in stadiums filled with the cheers of spectators but now have to play in empty games. Although I am worried about COVID-19 prevention, I think spectators will be very careful about personal hygiene and prevention measures as much as they love professional baseball." He added, "In the end, if COVID-19 spreads while watching baseball, the damage will again fall on the fans, teams, and players. I hope to see a beautiful scene of mutual consideration."

On the morning of the 11th, players watched the game wearing masks in the dugout at the 74th Golden Lion National High School Baseball Tournament and Weekend League Championship held at Mokdong Sports Complex in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

On the other hand, there are ongoing concerns that allowing spectators is risky because the spread of COVID-19 has not completely subsided. In professional sports stadiums, seats are close together, resulting in high density, and there are worries that personal preventive measures cannot be maintained during cheering.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters on the 25th, 28 new COVID-19 cases were reported that day. After a sharp increase to 67 new cases on the 20th, daily new cases have fluctuated around 30, with 48, 17, 46, 51, and 28 cases recorded.

A man in his 50s, office worker B, said, "Watching a game is not just sitting still. Of course, some people will be running around cheering, and some will be shouting. Many spectators will consume alcohol, drinks, and food. I think it is not possible before measures to restrict these are established."

B added, "There will be economic losses due to games without spectators, but if you think about it, there is no place that is not suffering losses due to social distancing. If spectators are allowed back and confirmed cases occur, spreading to a cluster infection, what will we do then? Even though it is regrettable now, I think it is better to endure a little longer and enjoy comfortably later."

On the 31st of last month, the 2020 professional baseball game between Doosan and Lotte was held without spectators at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

Experts emphasize the need to strengthen prevention measures while expressing concerns about the spread of COVID-19.

Professor Kim Woo-joo, an infectious disease specialist at Korea University Guro Hospital, said during a YouTube live broadcast on the 25th, "The government and local governments are continuously announcing strengthened prevention measures in daily life distancing, but it is worrisome that control is not being achieved."

Professor Kim explained, "In a way, this might be the last chance to strengthen social distancing. Public participation is needed for distancing, but since that is lacking, there is a need to deliver a strong message to the public. With the upcoming vacation season next month, the spread could increase nationwide. If we miss this opportunity, even if social distancing is implemented later, it may not be possible to control the spread."

Meanwhile, the government plans to finalize guidelines related to allowing spectators at professional sports games as early as this weekend.

Yoon Tae-ho, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters' prevention team, said at a COVID-19 briefing held at the Government Complex Sejong on the 25th that guidelines for allowing spectators at professional sports games will be announced in connection with the 'social distancing level adjustment plan.'

Yoon said, "We are discussing with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism regarding outdoor sports, especially professional baseball and soccer spectator admission," adding, "The percentage of spectators allowed will require practical-level consultations."

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