Suspension of Indoor Facility Operations at National Parks, Ecological Gardens, and Biological Resource Centers... Until the 11th of Next Month

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] During this Chuseok holiday, indoor facilities under the Ministry of Environment’s jurisdiction, such as national parks, the National Institute of Ecology, the National Institute of Biological Resources, and the National Nakdong River Biological Resources Center, will suspend operations.

The Ministry of Environment announced on the 25th that this measure is being taken following the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters’ designation of a special quarantine period for two weeks, including the Chuseok holiday, until the 11th of next month.

Ecological exploration centers and visitor centers at 21 national parks nationwide, the Ecorium at the National Institute of Ecology, exhibition halls at the National Institute of Biological Resources, and the Biological Nuri Hall at the National Nakdong River Biological Resources Center will suspend operations from the 23rd of last month, when social distancing level 2 was implemented, until the 11th of next month.

However, outdoor facilities of these institutions (such as outdoor spaces at the National Institute of Ecology, national park trails, and campgrounds) will remain open on a limited basis under compliance with current quarantine guidelines.

Regarding public zoos, local government heads will decide on facility openings or closures by considering the spread of COVID-19 within their regions and enhanced social distancing measures during the special quarantine period.

Information about facility openings will be provided through each institution’s website, text message boards, main entrances, and trailheads. Outdoor facilities will also be closely managed to ensure social distancing is properly maintained.

Additionally, the Ministry of Environment will offer non-face-to-face content so that people can experience outings at home during the Chuseok holiday when going out is difficult due to social distancing.

The Korea National Park Service has prepared various services, including the online content “National Park Virtual Travel,” which allows people to enjoy the natural scenery of national parks and experience virtual camping.

The National Institute of Ecology and the National Institute of Biological Resources will operate online exhibition halls providing various educational content related to biology and ecology, and plan to hold online events.

Public zoos will provide non-face-to-face content through dedicated YouTube channels so that people can view animals without visiting in person.

Park Yeon-jae, Director of Natural Conservation Policy at the Ministry of Environment, said, “To prevent the spread of COVID-19, it is necessary to refrain from traveling during the special quarantine period including Chuseok and to stay safely at home. We plan to provide various non-face-to-face content so that people can see and feel nature without going outside.”

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