Wando Sinji Myeongsasipri Beach, COVID-19 Response Third Round of Disinfection Draws Attention

Implementation of Reservation-Only System and Nationwide First Drone-Based Fever Screening Pilot Operation, etc.

Explaining the method of fever screening using drones at Wando Sinji Myeongsasipri Beach. (Photo by Wando-gun)

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Kyung-pil] The third-stage quarantine system implemented at Wando Sinji Myeongsashipri Beach to ensure the safety of residents and tourists from COVID-19 is attracting attention.

According to Wando County on the 22nd, the self-implemented quarantine system conducts the first stage by performing temperature checks on all visitors entering Wando at Wando Bridge, Gogeum Bridge, Ttangkkeut Port, and Wando Passenger Terminal.

The second stage involves checking the temperatures of users at three main entrances of Sinji Myeongsashipri Beach. After passing through gate-type disinfectors, visitors wear wristbands before entering the white sand beach.

Disposable masks are distributed to tourists not wearing masks, and smart quarantine activities, including hanging guidance banners and conducting social distancing campaigns from the air, are helping the operation of the beach.

The third stage uses drones to assess the density of beach users; if the density is high, safety personnel are immediately contacted to encourage dispersal.

On the 18th, Wando County Governor Shin Woo-cheol, Jeonnam Province Deputy Governor Song Sang-rak, and about ten related agency heads attended a pilot operation, the first in the nation, equipping drones with thermal imaging cameras to monitor in real time and identify beachgoers with elevated body temperatures, accelerating practical application.

Drone operations were conducted with military flight approval and with drone operators deployed to ensure the safety of beach users.

For reference, according to Article 22, Paragraph 1, Item 10 of the Beach Act, operating radio-powered devices (drones) without permission at beaches is illegal.

The three-stage quarantine system involves daily deployment of about 120 personnel, including 14 from administration, medical, and police, 49 for land and sea safety management, and 57 for COVID-19 quarantine and environmental management.

This three-stage quarantine system was reported as an excellent COVID-19 quarantine case at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting chaired by the Prime Minister on the 19th.

Additionally, multi-use facilities such as restrooms and shower rooms are disinfected more than three times daily, and shower rooms and public restrooms are operated under a total capacity system to prevent more than seven people from gathering at once, practicing healthy distancing.

Meanwhile, Sinji Myeongsashipri Beach has been operating a safe reservation system from the 17th of this month until the 23rd of next month, with 11,348 reservations as of the 20th.

Safe reservation holders and general visitors use separate zones, with reservation holders enjoying their time in a safe zone measuring 600m in length and 150m in width.

A Wando County official said, “Through the three-stage quarantine system, we will ensure that visitors can enjoy their leisure safely and comfortably. We will prove the reputation of Sinji Myeongsashipri Beach, the first in the country to receive the Blue Flag, and firmly establish the image of clean Wando.”

Meanwhile, to relieve psychological stress accumulated due to COVID-19, a non-face-to-face cultural enjoyment program, the Singsing Drive-in Theater, is planned to be operated on the night of the 25th at Myeongsashipri 2nd Parking Lot.

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