S. Korea to resume museums, art galleries from next week

정총리 "다음 주부터 박물관•미술관 운영재개 논의"...황금연휴 첫날 관객 10만명 넘어

South Korea reported nine new COVID-19 cases, the third straight day of single digit daily infections.
This is whey the government is considering easing its social distancing campaign next week.
Meaning cinemas, museums and galleries will start seeing more visitors.
Yoon Jung-min has our top story.
With the COVID-19 situation improving here in South Korea,... the country is considering shifting to a more relaxed stance of "distancing in daily life" from May 6th.
The government will come up with its decision this Sunday.
At a COVID-19 briefing on Friday,... Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said the government is discussing reopening public places from next Wednesday.
The cultural places reopening are 24 public museums, art galleries and libraries,... including the National Museum of Korea, the National Folk Museum of Korea, and the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art.
But people will still have to wear masks and keep their distance from others,... as well as fill in a form with their contact details.
The government will limit the number of visitors based on time slots,... to prevent large crowds.
Group tours still won't be allowed at those public facilities,... while private cultural facilities can decide whether to resume such services.
"To enjoy cultural activities while preventing the spread of COVID-19, we ask people to abide by quarantine rules by following public etiquette. People should check their temperatures, use hand sanitizers, keep distance from others and follow guidance."
On Thursday, which was the start of the holidays, more than 100-thousand people visited local movie theaters,... amid relaxed social distancing and the release of a series of new movies.
That's the largest tally in more than a month.
According to local movie theater Megabox,... there was a high demand for movies like 'Trolls World Tour' and 'Love the Way You Are'.
As more people are looking to get out of the house during the holidays, local movie theaters and major tourist sites are expected to see an increasing number of visitors until next week.
Yoon Jung-min, Arirang News.

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