Kangwon Land, South Korea’s only locals casino, will operate just 12 hours a day into the new year due to a spike in local Covid-19 infections.
According to GGRAsia, as of December 18 the casino is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. only, and closed overnight. The reduced hours will continue until January 2 at the earliest. The government of South Korea has also reinstated stricter social distancing rules as the number of new infections and serious cases increases nationwide. Gatherings are now limited to no more than four people, but only if they are fully vaccinated. The restrictions also force restaurants, cafes and bars to close by 9 p.m. each night, officials said.
Kangwon Land resort is in a remote upland area in the east of the country, three hours by road from Seoul.
In a December 16 statement, South Korean Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum said, “Today’s pause isn’t a U-turn or retreat from the path toward a return to normal life, but a necessary speed adjustment based on changed circumstances.”
According to a spokesperson for Kangwon Land Inc., no decision will be made on easing the restrictions until January 2.
The person added that the casino can still host 3,000 customers at a time, despite the reduction in operation hours, or half the 6,000-visitor pre-pandemic level. Guests must draw lots to determine who may enter under the capacity limits.
