Fans set to return to KBO stadiums as Korean gov't eases restrictions

Fans set to return to KBO stadiums as Korean gov't eases restrictions
01/07/2020
Authorities in the Republic of Korea are easing COVID-19 restrictions, which opens the door for spectators to attend sporting events as early as this week.

Sports fans will again be watching baseball games from the stadium stands in baseball-loving Korea, as the nation eases COVID-19 restrictions.

Korean authorities announced this past Sunday that spectators will be allowed to attend sporting events as early as this week.

The exact date when Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) stadium doors open is still to be determined, and games are currently being played in spectator-less stadiums.

Among the safety measures proposed for reopening the gates, face masks will be mandatory for fans attending the games, and they will be required to sit at least a seat apart. Fans will also be screened for fever and discouraged from shouting and singing during the game.

Clubs in the 10-team league will be initially allowed to fill stadiums to a maximum capacity of 30% per game. 

"We'll make the health and safety of our fans the No. 1 priority," said KBO Secretary General Ryu Dae-hwan, according to Yonhap News Agency.

LG Twins manager Ryu Joong-il also welcomed the government's decision: "I hope baseball can lift people's spirits during this difficult time."

The KBO 2020 season opened on 5 May behind closed doors amid the COVID-19 pandemic, with plans to play the full 144-game regular season. However, the league cancelled the All-Star Game.

The 2019 season of the KBO, a WBSC Associate Member, recorded a total attendance of 7,286,008. The Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) opened its doors to fans on 8 May, while Japan’s top league, Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), plans to admit up to 5,000 fans per game from 10 July.