"Why Is Only Indoor Sports Banned?" Outcry... Government Says "Will Consider Allowing" (Comprehensive)

Image source=Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] The social distancing measures, currently at level 2.5 in the metropolitan area and level 2 in non-metropolitan areas, have been extended for two weeks until the 17th and will be applied from the 4th. Amid changes in some quarantine guidelines, such as the nationwide expansion of the ban on private gatherings of five or more people previously applied only in the metropolitan area, indoor sports facilities continue to face business suspensions due to gathering bans, leading to widespread dissatisfaction. Unlike restaurants, cafes, ski resorts, sledding parks, and ice rinks, which can operate with restrictions, the complete ban on indoor sports facilities is seen as unfair.

Notably, the Pilates & Fitness Business Association (PIBA), representing indoor sports facility operators and related workers, posted a petition on the Blue House National Petition Board urging the government for effective policies. As of this morning, it has received over 154,000 signatures, surpassing 150,000 within five days since it was created on the 30th of last month.

They stated, "Even under level 2.5 social distancing, restaurants, supermarkets, PC rooms, and cafes can operate with restrictions, but indoor sports facilities are completely closed," and called for "flexible policies." They cited that membership-based operations allow quick tracing of contacts in case of infections, and overseas cases, such as in the United States, show fewer infections through indoor sports facilities compared to other groups. They argue that limiting the number of entrants by time in designated spaces can reduce infection risks.

Although indoor sports facilities are generally restricted, Taekwondo academies have had their guidelines changed from today to allow operation with up to nine people to address childcare gaps for infants and elementary students. Fitness business operators excluded from this exception have raised fairness issues.

It is known that government ministries have differing views on these operational policies. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the main authority for indoor sports facilities, argues for allowing limited operations, while the Ministry of Health and Welfare maintains the gathering ban, citing concerns over previous cluster infections in dance studios and similar venues.

The government plans to provide 3 million won in support funds from the 11th to businesses such as indoor sports facilities that have suffered losses due to the gathering ban. However, the industry claims that monthly maintenance costs alone range from 5 million to 30 million won, making the support funds grossly insufficient. They also added that the vicious cycle of having to lay off sports facility instructors to reduce operating costs continues.

PIBA emphasized, "We cannot operate, yet rent, management fees, and interest payments continue unabated, and membership periods must be extended again," urging, "We call for clear and fair quarantine guidelines to thoroughly prepare for the COVID-19 situation while implementing effective and equitable policies that at least prevent business closures."

Regarding the industry's concerns, Kim Jung-sook, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters' Living Quarantine Team, said, "Since the metropolitan area entered level 2.5 on the 8th of last month, the indoor sports facility industry has been facing significant difficulties," adding, "We will analyze the situation in two weeks and consider how to generally allow these gathering-ban facilities, and plan to take measures accordingly."

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