Gangwon-do, 'Worried About an Influx of Capital Region Citizens'... Busy Preparing Quarantine Measures

Establishment of 'Special Quarantine Measures' for Beach and Amusement Park Facilities

Installation of Beach Control Line [Provided by Donghae City]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] As social distancing in the Seoul metropolitan area was raised to the highest level, Level 4, starting from the 12th, cities and counties including Gangwon Province are busy preparing quarantine measures amid concerns about a "balloon effect" where metropolitan residents move to Gangwon Province.

In particular, the coincidental timing of the Level 4 social distancing in the metropolitan area with the full opening of beaches and amusement facilities in the Gangwon region has made quarantine authorities and local governments in Gangwon even more tense.

According to the province on the 13th, to block the spread from the metropolitan area, the COVID-19 social distancing level has been raised to Level 2 from the 15th to the 31st.

The province will first implement an administrative order for diagnostic testing of symptomatic individuals related to visits to the metropolitan area until the 31st, and will decide on extension based on the future epidemic situation.

Kim Seong-ho, the Deputy Governor, personally visited Naksan, Gyeongpodae, and Mangsang beaches to inspect special quarantine measures and ordered thorough quarantine and safety accident prevention activities.

As special quarantine measures, the beach visit history management system "Ansim Call," the "Congestion Traffic Light System," and a "Pre-Reservation System" will be operated. Large beaches with an annual average of over 300,000 visitors will have an administrative order restricting gatherings in shared waters from 7 PM to 6 AM the next day.

Additionally, water play amusement facilities and swimming pools will be checked for compliance with hygiene standards, safety inspections, deployment of safety managers, and disinfection and ventilation at least twice daily.

Gangneung City has banned the use of single-use items in food service establishments such as local coffee shops and general restaurants.

Donghae City will distribute 300,000 "temperature stickers" in addition to "Ansim Call," operate tent distancing and a "Vaccine Bonus Zone." Furthermore, parasols and beach beds will be provided free of charge to those who have received the first vaccine dose and their families.

Sokcho City plans to adjust parasol spacing to 2 meters, strengthen distancing among vacationers, operate dedicated quarantine teams at main beach entrances, and introduce temperature stickers for full temperature checks and visit verification.

Amid concerns that the spread from the metropolitan area could extend to other regions, the shutdown of the metropolitan area has increased the fear of COVID-19 infection in Gangwon Province, the top tourist destination.

Park Dong-ju, Head of the Gangwon Province Quarantine Measures Promotion Team, said, "Although fatigue has accumulated due to the prolonged COVID-19 situation and quarantine measures, please strictly follow quarantine rules and actively cooperate with diagnostic testing for symptomatic individuals."

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