Songpa-gu Establishes 'Performance Guidelines for the COVID-19 Era'

Focus on Large-Scale Performance Quarantine Guidelines Tailored to Regional Characteristics

Park Seong-su, Mayor of Songpa District

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Songpa-gu (Mayor Park Seong-su) has taken the initiative to establish its own performance guidelines for the COVID-19 era.

This measure aims to support the local cultural arts and tourism sectors, which have been struggling due to the prolonged COVID-19 crisis.

The district is equipped with various performance culture infrastructures and tourist attractions near the Jamsil Tourism Special Zone, but recently, as the COVID-19 situation has worsened, all administrative efforts have been focused on preventing infectious diseases.

In fact, on the 20th, the first cluster infection occurred at a church in the district, resulting in 19 confirmed cases within three days. Consequently, an administrative order banning gatherings was issued for a large-scale performance scheduled at Olympic Park on the 24th.

Amid these circumstances, the number of visitors to major local tourist sites has sharply decreased by about 80% compared to the previous year over the past three months, exacerbating the local economic difficulties.

Therefore, the district has moved to establish practical measures that allow infectious disease prevention while enabling cultural artists and small business owners to coexist.

In particular, considering that there are no separate guidelines from higher authorities despite the ongoing demand for cultural and artistic enjoyment in the region even as COVID-19 becomes a part of daily life, the district prioritized preparing related guidelines.

The "COVID-19 Response Guidelines for Large-Scale Performances" focus on infection prevention tailored to the characteristics of performance venues and minimizing the high-risk 3Cs (Closed spaces, Crowded places, Close-contact settings).

These include ▲using facilities at 40% or less of capacity (previously 50% for venues like the National Theater of Korea and Seoul Arts Center) ▲leaving at least two seats empty if seat width is less than 0.5m (previously a zigzag pattern with one seat gap) ▲checking seat tickets and IDs alongside electronic entry logs for epidemiological investigations ▲monitoring audience seating to ensure mask-wearing ▲prohibiting standing performances ▲banning food and drink consumption except water ▲and prohibiting audience shouting, chants, and singing.

The district plans to apply the newly established quarantine guidelines starting in August. This decision considers the recent decline in COVID-19 cases in the area since the 23rd.

Accordingly, the "gathering ban administrative order" issued to the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation on July 21 will be relaxed to a restriction order. Future event applications will be carefully reviewed for quarantine preparations before approval.

Since there have been no separate guidelines for large-scale performances and cultural arts related to COVID-19 until now, the district intends to use this opportunity to set a model example of performances suited to the COVID-19 era.

Songpa-gu Mayor Park Seong-su stated, "We actively gathered local opinions emphasizing the need for precise guidelines so that residents can enjoy various performances in a limited manner even amid the COVID-19 situation," adding, "Starting with Songpa-gu, we will create a precedent where safe performance culture spreads nationwide, enabling the local economy and cultural arts sector to wisely coexist despite difficulties."

Meanwhile, as cultural and artistic events in the district are scheduled to resume from August, the district plans to strengthen management and supervision to ensure compliance with quarantine guidelines by expanding staff deployment for related events.

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