Prime Minister Jeong: "Resuming Professional Sports Game Attendance... Entry Starting with Minimum Capacity" (Comprehensive)

Prime Minister Jeong Sye-kyun

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwangho Lee] Spectator attendance at professional sports games, including professional baseball, which had been held without audiences due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), will resume.

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun announced on the 24th at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) meeting held at the Government Seoul Office that "the plan to reopen spectator admission for professional sports will be discussed at today's meeting."

Prime Minister Chung stated, "It has been two months since the unprecedented no-audience professional baseball games began," and added, "Many citizens who had comforted their disappointment with online cheering are looking forward to the reopening of stadium admissions."

He further explained, "Please understand this as a cautious step toward finding a balance between quarantine and daily life," and "Even if spectator admission resumes, it will start with a minimum number of people under the premise that quarantine rules inside and outside the stadium are strictly followed."

The government is considering allowing spectators up to 10% of the stadium capacity starting with professional baseball games this weekend on the 26th. Professional soccer is expected to decide on reopening on the 1st of next month, and professional golf will assess the situation until the end of next month before making a decision.

Regarding concerns about easing quarantine measures in the metropolitan area and churches, Prime Minister Chung emphasized, "It is difficult to find a balance between daily life and quarantine solely through comprehensive strengthening of quarantine measures amid the prolonged COVID-19 situation," and added, "It is time to adjust the intensity of restrictions based on regional and local assessments and risk factors rather than nationwide restrictions."

He also added, "We ask the public to understand the government's quarantine policy direction, and especially in these circumstances, please keep in mind that it is very important to comply with individual quarantine rules anytime and anywhere."

Prime Minister Chung said, "This morning, a special flight carrying 293 Korean workers from Iraq arrived at Incheon Airport," and urged, "Please thoroughly prepare to ensure no negligence in non-face-to-face medical treatment and support of quarantine supplies for the workers still remaining in Iraq to safeguard their safety and health."

He also mentioned, "Due to heavy rain accompanied by strong winds, three people died and one person went missing last night in the Busan and Ulsan areas due to vehicle flooding," and expressed condolences, "We pray for the repose of the deceased and hope for the safe return of the missing person."

He continued, "The continuous monsoon rains have caused extensive damage including road and house flooding, collapse of retaining walls and embankments, road surface erosion, and power outages," and instructed, "Relevant ministries and local governments must thoroughly prepare to prevent any additional casualties."

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