Seoul Sports Facilities to Reopen Sequentially After 2 Months... Audience Limited to Less Than Half

Gradual Resumption of Operations Following Adjustments to Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures
Student Sports Competitions to Be Held Without Spectators

Gocheok Dome panorama.

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 29th that it has reopened 29 municipal sports facilities that had been closed since May 29 to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

According to the 'Adjustment Plan for Strengthening Metropolitan Area Quarantine Measures' announced by the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH) on the 19th of this month, the plan is to complete quarantine measures first at indoor and outdoor sports facilities frequently visited by citizens and gradually open and operate them.

The city explained that as the closure of public sports facilities prolonged, difficulties increased for student athletes who require training, so it conveyed these circumstances to the CDSCH and requested the reopening of sports facilities.

Accordingly, following the reopening of Mokdong Main Stadium, Mokdong Baseball Stadium, Guui Baseball Park, and Sinwol Baseball Park on the 20th, major facilities such as Jamsil Olympic Main Stadium, Mokdong Ice Rink, Hyochang Stadium, Jamsil Indoor Golf Course, and Fitness Center welcomed citizens again on the 27th. Seoul World Cup Stadium Futsal Field and Gocheok Sky Dome Soccer Stadium also resumed operations on the 27th. Additionally, Jamsil Futsal Field, Jangchung Gymnasium, and Gocheok Sky Dome Swimming Pool are scheduled to open from the 1st of next month, and Jamsil No.1 Swimming Pool and Table Tennis Hall will open from August 3.

Considering the improvement of professional athletes' performance, the enjoyment of sports rights by recreational sports club members, and the academic advancement opportunities for student athletes, sports competitions will be held again. However, the number of spectators will be limited to 10%, 25%, or 50% of the seating capacity depending on the facility's appropriate capacity.

Professional baseball and professional soccer games, which had been held without spectators, will also allow audience entry. Starting from the professional baseball game on the 26th, professional soccer games from August 1 will begin admitting spectators at 10% of the venue capacity.

However, professional sports competitions for students will be held without spectators, considering that the range of stakeholders such as parents and coaches is relatively wide, increasing the quarantine burden, and that the main participants are students.

The city also established and strictly enforces detailed quarantine measures for each facility, including personal quarantine management of municipal sports facility users such as entry log creation, temperature checks, and mask-wearing, as well as disinfection of stadiums and auxiliary facilities, designation of quarantine officers, and preparation of emergency contact networks.

Entry will be restricted for those not wearing masks, refusing temperature checks, or failing to provide contact information. Electronic entry log systems will be introduced to manage entrants at Seoul World Cup Stadium, Jangchung Gymnasium, and Gocheok Sky Dome.

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