Dance lesson in Seoul (archive): New rules due to increasing numbers of infections
Photo: KIM HONG-JI / REUTERS
Hugs, drinking from a glass, standing too close to each other during a conversation: the list of the potential transmission routes for the coronavirus is long - and South Korea has now apparently identified another risk: the mega hit »Gangnam Style« by rapper Psy.
However, this is not about the song itself: New rules for infection protection in the capital Seoul prohibit fitness studios from playing music at a rate of more than 120 beats per minute (BPM) during group training.
»Gangnam Style« from 2012 has the rapid tempo of 132 BPM.
With the rules, the authorities want to prevent gym visitors from breathing and sweating too hard, which could spread the virus in the event of their corona infection.
In addition, treadmills must not be faster than six kilometers per hour, showers in the studios must not be used and table tennis games can only be played in pairs.
While »Gangnam Style« falls under the ban, the hits of the globally popular South Korean boy group band BTS are spared: »Dynamite«, for example, has only 114 BPM and »Butter« 110 BPM, according to lists circulating on online networks.
The new rules are also met with opposition in South Korea.
Members of the opposition described them as "nonsense" and gym owners as barely effective and unrealistic.
"So you don't get Covid-19 if you run slower than 6 km an hour," said Kim Yong-tae, a member of the Gungminui-him party.
»And who in the world controls the BPM of the songs when you're exercising?
I don't understand what Covid-19 has to do with my choice of music. "
In view of the increased number of infections, stricter corona rules will come into force in South Korea this week.
Among other things, the shop opening hours will be shortened and the number of participants allowed in gatherings will be reduced.
In general, however, the shops - and also the fitness studios - can remain open.
Most recently, new infections with the corona virus in South Korea had risen to more than 1,000 cases per day, according to the authorities.
In an international comparison that is not much.
But these are the highest rates of infection in South Korea since the beginning of the pandemic.
Most new infections occur in the capital region, where about half of the 52 million inhabitants of the East Asian state live.
bbr / AFP / Reuters
