Safety is our priority. Before we jump onto doing anything, we need to follow the safety guidelines to avoid mishaps and unfortunate forthcoming. Summer in Korea is exhilarating, keeping in mind the percentage of beaches and suitable places to tour during summer. However, there are also safety guidelines to take into account. Adding to the already set rules, new standard rules are introduced after the Covid-19 pandemic has taken a toll on the world. New safety measures ensure the restriction of further spread of the mutant virus. The local government and agencies, the National Police Agency, Korean Coast Guard Agency, the National Fire Agency has collectively decided on the few guidelines and safety measures for the year’s beach vacations.
Expanding the Scope of Contactless Smart Protection
Ministry of Ocean and Fisheries announced its intention to expand the scope of contact-less smart protection with modern techniques and solutions for modern problems.
Body Temperature Stickers
This sticker is an alternative to the thermometer. It works just as a simpler and portable version of the thermometer, changing color as the temperature is above 37.5 degrees Celsius and tracks the temperature up to 24 to 48 hours. The color of the sticker changes as the temperature of the individual’s body changes. It solves the problem of waiting in long queues to check the body temperatures of visitors, one at a time. The stickers will help, especially during the weekends and peak hours, without any inconvenience.
Safety Wristband and History Management of Facility Use
During less crowded days at the beach, those visitors who have already checked their temperature will be wearing a wristband, indicating that their body temperature is stable. Once initially checked, they can access the multi-use complex, restaurants, and other such facilities. Moreover, every time they visit management offices, service centers, and shower rooms, QR codes and a payment system will track the movement and visitor history.
Disperse the Crowds
Ministries of Oceans and Fisheries will expand the scope of pre-booking systems, congestion traffic lights, and promotion of unknown beaches, which will aid the prevention of accumulation of people in concentration and dispersing crowds.
Expanded Introduction of Congestion Traffic Lights Service
The traffic lights service utilized by big-data technology indicates congestion levels in green (100% or less congestion), yellow (100% to 200% or less congestion), red (200% or more congestion).
Last year such service was conducted on about 50 beaches. However, the ministry plans to proceed with the service on every beach across the nation for safety. It will let people know about the busyness of the beaches so that they schedule their plans accordingly and be on the safer side.
Expansion of Pre-reservation
In a survey held in 2020, there was a positive response from the visitors on a pre-booking system. 80.3% of people recommended that it was helpful in preventing Covid, and 86.2% recommended continuing this system.
MOF plans to expand the scope of pre-booking system. The pre-booking system was made possible with sites like BADA and NAVER.
Enhancement of Operation on Allocation System on Site
Except for the pre-booking summer beaches, parasols will be assigned at every 2 m distance near cities and larger beaches. This prevents the possible density on sites, thereby regulating the population to maintain safety guidelines and isolation.
Increasing and Promoting Schedule Beaches
After designating scheduled beaches last year, only a handful of people visited, forming less density or crowds at the sites, reducing the possibility of virus locomotion. MOF and other relevant agencies are progressively introducing measures at train stations and highway stops via the online portal. They encourage visitors to spend their vacation on the scheduled beach and discourage them from visiting beaches like Haeundae and Gwangalli beach. They are doing so with the help of incentives, discounts given for the site ticket and trips to neighboring fishing communities, etc.
Some other basic guidelines for safety at the beach
Choose Lifeguard beaches
All beaches do not have a lifeguard. Make sure you research well and be aware of the lifeguard available. On a lifeguarded beach, you will be shielded by lifeguards. If something goes unexpected, inside or outside water, you can reach out to them, or if they find you in trouble while there are on their surveillance, they will appear with diligence for your service of any kind. They often help people who are drowning or flow with the current or help find the lost ones.
Swim in Designated Areas
Sadly, the ocean is a massive entity and, at times, even monstrous. Any beach will have its own limits where it’s most appropriate to swim. It is recommended to swim within those set boundaries. Otherwise, tables can turn at any moment. It is also recommended to stay near about lifeguard, at least under their sparse vigilance.
Beach flags and signs
We often have the tendency to become oblivious to beach signs and tags. However, they are not to be ignored. As you enter a beach, you will find a signboard giving you little basic information about the beach you are visiting. That signboard also covers hazards specific areas and safety info which is of utmost importance.
Always swim with a company
You never know the unpredictable waves and the outlines of the sea. So, it is always recommended to have your buddy with you, just in case you might help each other out.
Understand the sea
Acknowledge where the currents are the strongest; you can ask the trained professionals or learn it from the signboards or gather information from the locals. However, even if you come across a rip current, keep calm and don’t panic. There are few drills to deal with such situations. Raise your arm and call out for help; you can also flow with the current. It might lead you towards the shallow bank or try to swim parallel to the beach or towards the breaking current unless you escape the rip current.
Follow governments’ safety guidelines
Pandemic has brought the end to almost an end. However, with little human effort and God’s grace, soon everything got almost under control, and the new normal norms are controlling and keeping us safe now. Even traveling to places have got their own set of norms and guidelines. Korea being a culturally vibrant place, a melting pot, bringing in visitors from all around the world, also has kept in mind the need of the hour, that is, to keep social distancing and isolate for the greater good. Wear masks and try to maintain a five-foot distance from people, even though it would be a vacation, but life cannot be put up at stake.
There are innumerable beaches in South Korea. Haeundae Beach, Seobin, Hajodae, Hamdeok, Eurwangni, Muchangpo Beach, Daecheon Beach, Naksan Beach being the top eight of all. However, if you like to have a comfortable visit with a pleasant memory of your visit, make sure you follow the safety guidelines and avoid mishaps at Korean beach.
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