Confusion Over Outdoor Sports Facility Quarantine Guidelines..."No More Than 5 People Outdoors"

Reconfirmation of Policy Allowing Outdoor Sports Facilities for Groups Under 5 Only
Clubs Considered Private Gatherings... Applied the Same as Indoors

On the 18th, when indoor sports facilities in the Seoul metropolitan area resumed operations, citizens were exercising at a gym in Seoul. The quarantine authorities eased some social distancing measures for multi-use facilities such as cafes, indoor sports facilities, and singing practice rooms in the metropolitan area. From this day, cafes are allowed to serve customers on-site until 9 p.m., and gyms can operate with a limit of one person per 8 square meters. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] The quarantine authorities have stated that it is not possible for five or more people to gather and exercise at outdoor sports facilities.

On the 20th, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH) for COVID-19 announced, "The ban on private gatherings of five or more people applies everywhere regardless of indoor or outdoor locations, so private gatherings of five or more people such as clubs at outdoor sports facilities are prohibited."

Confusion arose when some outdoor sports facilities like futsal courts and baseball fields applied the indoor sports facility standard of "one person per 8㎡ (approximately 2.4 pyeong)" and rented out spaces for club or friendly match purposes, prompting the quarantine authorities to clarify that "club activities fall under private gatherings" and draw a clear line.

The CDSCH stated, "Outdoor sports facilities themselves are not subject to nationwide gathering bans, so they can be used while complying with basic quarantine rules such as wearing masks."

At a regular briefing on the 17th, the authorities also said, "Since club activities fall under private gatherings, all club activities involving five or more people are prohibited," adding, "Group activities such as recreational sports meetings like soccer and baseball or friendly league matches are also banned if five or more people gather."

The authorities explained, "However, if the activity is in the form of lessons rather than club activities, it falls under 'instructional business' and is therefore permitted."

Since the 18th, the government has partially eased quarantine measures for some multi-use facilities such as indoor sports facilities, cafes, karaoke rooms, and academies. For indoor sports facilities like gyms, the number of users is limited to one person per 8㎡ of facility area, and operating hours are restricted until 9 p.m.

Although outdoor sports facilities are not subject to gathering bans, the ban on private gatherings of five or more people remains in effect, so spaces can only be rented for fewer than five people. Academies or tutoring centers may use outdoor sports facilities for lessons.

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