eFM News

With summer just around the corner and the weather heating up, officials said a new alert system will be enforced at local beaches as part of tighter measures to protect visitors and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Starting in July, the country will operate a three-level alert system -- green, yellow and red -- to warn people if beaches are too crowded.

According to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the system will be applied to all 277 beaches across the country, with related information to be available on popular platforms, including Kakao and Naver.

Before hitting the sand, visitors will have to dial a designated phone number at each beach rather than scan personal QR codes.

At large beaches, people will be given a special sticker that changes color when their body temperature hovers above 37.5 degrees Celsius.

Smaller beaches will give visitors wristbands after they get their temperature checked, which can be used to visit other facilities nearby, including restaurants.

The new alert system comes as more South Koreans are expected to travel locally during the summer season as the coronavirus pandemic wears on and international travel remains limited.