People Power Party Criticizes Conditional Gym Reopening as "Just for Show" and "Ineffective"

'Entry Limits Per Area' and 'Coexistence Quarantine'... Calls for Revising Quarantine Standards

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] On the 8th, the People Power Party fiercely criticized the government's decision to allow 'conditional reopening' of all indoor sports facilities that had been subject to business suspension orders, calling it a "pointless wordplay policy that is killing the industry twice."

On the same day, People Power Party lawmaker Ha Tae-kyung wrote on his Facebook, "Although the gathering ban has been partially eased, if you look closely, nothing has changed," and criticized, "On the contrary, the fitness industry is fiercely opposing, saying the entire industry is being mocked with wordplay."

Earlier, the government announced that it would allow operation of indoor sports facilities such as gyms, which had been subject to business suspension orders, if the number of users is limited to nine. However, the usage is restricted to children and adolescents, and the purpose of operation is limited to instruction only, with these conditions set to be in place until the 17th.

Regarding this, lawmaker Ha said, "Would kindergarteners come to gyms or Pilates studios to shape their bodies? Also, the originally promised business restrictions by the government were only until the 17th," adding, "This is nothing more than reiterating the existing promise, but the government is boasting as if it has 'lifted the sanctions.'"

Kim Jae-seop, a Supreme Council member of the People Power Party, also sharpened his words, saying, "We formally raised issues about the unfair and ineffective business suspension orders and received a promise through the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) to prepare measures. Even after conveying this much, the resulting measures are like this."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In the opposition camp, voices are emerging to reorganize quarantine standards, as complaints and grievances from small business owners accumulate.

There is growing support for effectively allowing full business operations while limiting the number of people per area. Unlike the early days of COVID-19, when infection routes were clearer, now daily infections with unknown transmission routes are spreading, so it is pointed out that it is time to reconsider standards as a kind of 'coexistence quarantine.'

Since the end of last year, Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, has proposed revising social distancing measures. He said, "The current measures were created to control small-scale group infections in the past," urging a review of their effectiveness.

Ahn stated, "Many citizens question the scientific basis for the 9 p.m. business restriction, and there are concerns about a balloon effect where people crowd into subways during commuting hours due to business hour restrictions," adding, "Now, distancing measures should be based on criteria such as enclosed spaces, crowding, and close contact."

The revision plan proposed by Ahn includes ▲removing the 9 p.m. business restriction for restaurants and operating at only 30-40% capacity regardless of size, with strict table distancing and ventilation standards ▲installing single-person booths in smoking areas ▲recommending flexible working hours for companies ▲increasing subway frequency during commuting hours.

Former People Power Party lawmaker Na Kyung-won similarly proposed "setting capacity standards per area." She said, "New standards should be established based on the number of people per square meter, not by industry or usage time," adding, "If authorities set standards on how many people can stay indoors per square meter, each business owner should accurately post the currently allowed number of users at the store or facility entrance."

The 'Yojeumgeotdeul Research Institute,' a youth issue study group within the People Power Party including lawmaker Ha Tae-kyung, emphasizes coexistence quarantine, agreeing that "while opening doors, existing quarantine rules such as mask-wearing and hand sanitizer use must be followed, and measures such as limiting the minimum number of people inside to fundamentally block droplet transmission should be implemented." Lawmaker Lee Yong also advocated for "transitioning the quarantine system to 'capacity per area' without distinction by industry or time."

There are also calls to focus more on distancing and blocking droplet contact rather than limiting the number of people. Former People Power Party lawmaker Lee Eon-ju suggested, "In restaurants, rather than limiting the number of people, it is important to maintain distancing and serve side dishes separately," and proposed, "For subways, reduce intervals between trains to disperse passengers and consider diversifying commuting times."

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