Busan City asks foreign residents, visitors to comply with quarantine rules

By Bahk Eun-ji

Busan Metropolitan Government said Friday it has sent a letter to six foreignes-related organizations, including the U.S. Consulate in the port city, to seek their help in encouraging foreign nationals to abide by COVID-19 quarantine guidelines especially around local beaches.

The city government's move came in response to earlier quarantine rule violations on Haeundae Beach, May 29, when around 2,000 foreign nationals including U.S. service members here held parties there to celebrate U.S. Memorial Day with many of them not wearing face masks and violating social distancing rules.

In the letter, the city government conveyed concerns from local citizens about quarantine rule violations. It introduced specific details of the administrative order related to the prevention of virus transmissions at famous tourist locations in Busan such as Haeundae and Gwangalli beaches and Millak Waterside Park, and asked the organizations to encourage residents or tourists from their countries to abide by the quarantine regulations.

The letter was sent before the start of summer vacation season, when many foreigners in Korea are expected to visit the port city, as well as before U.S.'s July 4 Independence Day holiday.

Busan City also plans to have these guidelines posted on online communities of foreign residents in Busan in cooperation with the Busan Foundation for International Cooperation.

According to the administrative order issued by Haeundae District on June 1, people not wearing masks are banned from entering Haeundae Beach, and gatherings of five or more people are also prohibited.

Drinking and eating by two or more people is also prohibited from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. on the beaches, and from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Millak Waterfront Park.

During the U.S. Memorial Day holiday at the end of May, some 2,000 foreigners held parties on the beaches, setting off fireworks, dancing and drinking until late into the night. Many of them were not wearing masks nor abiding by social distancing rules, and police received 38 complaints from local residents.