Starting This Afternoon, 24-Hour Access Control in Dense Areas of Yeouido, Ttukseom, and Banpo Hangang Parks

Seoul City Enforces Nighttime Dining and Drinking Restrictions According to 'Social Distancing' Quarantine Rules

Status of Restricted Areas in Yeouido Hangang Park. The blue areas indicate the restricted zones.

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The Seoul Metropolitan Government will temporarily restrict citizens' access to Hangang Park to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). Despite the recent 2.5-level 'social distancing' measures in the metropolitan area and Seoul's 'Ten Million Citizens Pause Week,' outdoor gatherings, nighttime eating, and drinking activities have continued, prompting this action to stop them.

The Seoul Hangang Project Headquarters announced on the 8th that from 2 p.m., access will be restricted in some crowded areas of Hangang Park in Yeouido, Ttukseom, and Banpo districts. In Yeouido Hangang Park, this includes the Event Plaza and Seasonal Plaza; in Ttukseom Hangang Park, the plaza around Jabeolle including under Cheongdam Bridge; and in Banpo Hangang Park, Picnic Areas 1 and 2.

This measure is intended to temporarily halt gatherings in Hangang Park during Seoul's Ten Million Citizens Pause Week and includes ▲restricting access to major crowded park areas ▲shortening operating hours of convenience stores and parking lots ▲strengthening nighttime guidance activities.

All 28 convenience stores and 7 cafes operating within the parks will close daily from 9 p.m., and the 43 parking lots in Hangang Park will be inaccessible after this time.

Seoul will also strengthen nighttime guidance activities within the parks, recommending refraining from drinking or eating after 9 p.m., and will continue to promote and guide users to maintain a 2-meter distance and wear masks.

This measure will continue until the end of Seoul's Ten Million Citizens Pause Week. Shin Yong-mok, head of the Seoul Hangang Project Headquarters, said, "In a situation where outdoor spaces are not free from the risk of COVID-19 infection, the balloon effect caused by the implementation of 2.5-level social distancing in the metropolitan area has led to a surge in visitors to Hangang Park, prompting these measures." He urged citizens to refrain from gatherings, drinking, and eating in Hangang Park for the time being and instead spend time with their families at home.

Status of restricted areas in Ttukseom Hangang Park. The blue sections indicate the restricted zones.

Status of restricted areas in Banpo Hangang Park. The blue sections indicate the restricted areas.

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