Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries: "Visitors to Beaches Increased Last Week Due to Holidays and Heatwave... Request to Refrain from Use"

Statistics of Beach Visitors

As of the 17th, 25.04 million visitors... 5%P increase from last week

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[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] The government has urged people to refrain from visiting beaches. This is due to the rapid increase in confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Seoul metropolitan area and concerns about its spread nationwide.

According to the statistics on beach visitors compiled by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries as of the 17th, the total number of visitors to 251 beaches nationwide was 25.04 million (cumulative), which is 39.2% of the same period last year (63.87 million). Due to the three-day holiday and hot weather, this represents about a 5 percentage point increase from last week.

Visitors to large beaches decreased by 64.3%, from 54.93 million to 19.62 million this year. Visitors to medium and small beaches decreased by 49.5% and 17.6%, respectively, compared to the previous year.

In response to the nationwide spread of COVID-19, social distancing measures were raised to Level 2 in Busan and Incheon following the Seoul and Gyeonggi areas. According to government quarantine guidelines, 11 beaches in Incheon Metropolitan City plan to suspend shower facilities, parasol rentals, and equipment lending. Seven beaches in Busan Metropolitan City, which independently raised their social distancing levels, will continue operations as scheduled until the 31st (Gwangalli Beach until the 30th) while conducting quarantine management and guidance activities.

Ryu Jae-hyung, Director of Marine Policy at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, said, "As confirmed COVID-19 cases rapidly increase in the Seoul metropolitan area and Level 2 social distancing has been implemented, we earnestly ask the public to refrain from visiting beaches due to concerns about nationwide spread. Even if you visit beaches, please avoid water activities or using shower facilities that have a high risk of COVID-19 transmission, avoid crowded places, and strictly follow personal quarantine rules such as wearing masks and maintaining social distancing."

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