Operation of National Parks, Public Zoos, and National Ecological Institute Nationwide Suspended from the 23rd

Asia Economy DB=Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] The operation of indoor facilities under the Ministry of Environment, including national parks nationwide, public zoos, the National Institute of Ecology, and the Nakdonggang Biological Resources Center, will be fully suspended starting from the 23rd.

On the 22nd, the Ministry of Environment announced in a press release that, in accordance with the nationwide expansion of the 'Social Distancing Level 2 measures' to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), the operation of indoor facilities such as national parks and zoos will be suspended from tomorrow (the 23rd).

The facilities that will suspend or reduce operations due to this measure include 20 national parks nationwide, the National Institute of Ecology, the Nakdonggang Biological Resources Center, and 17 public zoos.

Facilities such as the Biological Nuri Center at the Nakdonggang Biological Resources Center, which had been open with less than 50% of usual visitors through a prior reservation system, the Ecorium at the National Institute of Ecology, indoor exhibition halls at public zoos, 13 national park visitor centers, 8 ecological exploration centers, 4 experiential learning centers, and the Datdonjae Pul Option Camping Site will have their operations fully suspended from 0:00 tomorrow.

Regarding outdoor facilities at zoos, the heads of the relevant local governments will autonomously decide whether to open or close the facilities, considering the COVID-19 spread situation within their jurisdictions. Outdoor facilities, car camping sites, parking lots, and trails at the National Institute of Ecology and the Nakdonggang Biological Resources Center will remain open as usual.

Changes will be announced through banners on each institution’s homepage, electronic message boards, and at the main entrances of the institutions. Outdoor facilities will also be closely managed to ensure that social distancing is properly maintained.

The Ministry of Environment plans to strengthen inspections to ensure compliance with COVID-19 daily quarantine rules, including guidance and promotion of daily quarantine rules, provision of hand sanitizers, and wearing of masks.

Park Yeon-jae, Director of Natural Conservation Policy at the Ministry of Environment, stated, "This measure is an unavoidable situation to prevent greater side effects amid the rapid nationwide spread of COVID-19 from the metropolitan area," and requested "the cooperation and understanding of the public."

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