Confirmed Cases from Ski Resorts Increase... No Way to Block Season Rooms

Confirmed cases rise to 17
Calls for voluntary closure emerge
3 ski resorts in Seoul metropolitan area say "No plans"
No season room restrictions, only self-restraint advised

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] As concerns about the spread of COVID-19 through ski resorts rise ahead of this year's Christmas and New Year holidays, urgent calls are being made for better management of "season rooms," accommodations near ski resorts operated in a dormitory style.

According to health authorities on the 18th, the number of confirmed cases related to a cluster infection centered around workers at Ski Resort A in Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon Province, has increased to 17. With confirmed cases emerging in nearby communities, "ski resort-originated secondary infections" are becoming a reality. Considering the cluster infections at ski resorts, health authorities have ordered non-metropolitan ski resorts to cease operations after 9 p.m. Gangwon Province has applied social distancing level 2.5 to ski resorts in the region and suspended operations at ski resorts in Pyeongchang, where cases have occurred, until the 20th of this month. While some voices call for ski resorts to voluntarily halt operations amid the severe COVID-19 spread, most ski resorts, including three in the metropolitan area, have stated that they have "no plans to suspend operations." They added that they are complying with government quarantine guidelines such as temperature checks for visitors and facility disinfection.

Measures for ski season rooms, where the first confirmed case recently occurred, remain nonexistent. Season rooms are accommodations typically shared by multiple people who split lodging costs during the ski season from November to February, mainly recruited through clubs or internet sites. Since people from all over the country gather in one space to eat and sleep together, there is a high risk of cluster infections if a confirmed case arises. Despite repeated warnings, season rooms remain popular, and participation is expected to increase further ahead of Christmas and New Year holidays. A real estate official near Pyeongchang, where ski resorts are concentrated, said, "Although ski resorts have suspended operations due to COVID-19, inquiries about season room rentals continue," adding, "Most popular apartments have already been rented out."

The government's response to season rooms, which pose a high risk of infection, is limited to recommending "refraining from participation." Since many season rooms are individually rented and operated, unlike general lodging businesses, it is difficult to even grasp the current situation, and there are no proper management regulations, effectively placing them in a blind spot for quarantine. While parties or events organized by lodging facilities are banned under social distancing level 2.5, there is no legal basis to regulate individuals gathering with acquaintances at lodging facilities.

It is estimated that about 300 season rooms are currently operating in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province alone. Considering the number of ski resorts in other regions, the nationwide total is expected to exceed 1,000. A Gangwon Provincial Office official said, "Each city and county is conducting spot checks on lodging facilities, including temperature checks upon entry," adding, "However, due to the implementation of social distancing level 2.5, local businesses such as lodging and restaurants could collapse, so we are approaching this cautiously."

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