Health Authorities Warn Strictly Over Unpleasant Incident Due to Social Distancing Violations at Sajik Stadium (Update)

On the 28th at Busan Sajik Stadium, spectators are cheering during the professional baseball game between NC Dinos and Lotte Giants. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Seulgi Kim] The quarantine authorities issued a stern warning to Busan Sajik Baseball Stadium for failing to properly observe social distancing during the Lotte Giants' first home game on the 28th.

On the 30th, Son Young-rae, head of the Strategic Planning Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, stated in a COVID-19 situation briefing, "An unfortunate incident occurred as many people gathered without properly maintaining social distancing at Lotte Sajik Stadium."

Son added, "We plan to gradually expand spectator attendance for professional sports such as baseball and soccer, but due to this early incident, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) decided to issue a warning together with the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), and the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters will also issue a warning."

He continued, "The MCST will establish measures to prevent recurrence, but if such incidents happen again, not only the expansion of spectators but also the issue of allowing 10% attendance could become problematic," urging for prevention of recurrence.

Since the 26th, domestic professional baseball has allowed spectators at 10% capacity of the stands. However, on the 28th at Sajik Baseball Stadium, many crowded the first base side, which is a cheering section, leading to criticism of inadequate social distancing.

Among the approximately 1,000 spectators watching the game at that time, the majority were crowded in the first base infield seats, reportedly ignoring the guidance to maintain at least 1 meter of distance.

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