Testing the waters: South Korea's largest waterpark opens

Testing the waters: South Korea's largest waterpark opens

A handful of rubber floats tumbled down the giant slide at South Korea's largest waterpark Caribbean Bay on Friday, its first day back in business since the coronavirus pandemic hit.

This report produced by Yahaira Jacquez.

Rubber floats tumbled down the giant slide at South Korea’s largest waterpark on Friday, its first day back in business as restrictions ease.

Only one ride was operating at Caribbean Bay, located in Yongin, southeast of Seoul.

But for 9-year-old Lee Ji-woo, this was more than enough after weeks of closures and self-isolation.

"It was so boring and stuffy studying and watching TV at home so it's really exciting to be outside." While South Koreans will now be able to splish splash through the summer at Caribbean Bay, new social distancing rules will make cooling off more complicated.

Under government guidelines announced for South Korea’s waterparks people will have to maintain distance in pools as well as locker rooms. Plus - the operators of Caribbean Bay, Samsung C&T, are implementing additional restrictions: Visitors must first fill out an online health form and then have their temperatures checked before being allowed in.

Inside, employees carry out disinfection operations every hour.

And everyone is asked to wear face masks when not in the water.

The park provides plastic bags to keep masks dry when not in use.

While there were fewer visitors than usual on its first day open... more are expected as summer gets underway.