[Sportschosun reporter Jang Jong-ho] A public beach in Italy has sparked controversy after introducing an unusual rule banning visitors between the ages of 10 and 65 from setting up parasols.
The measure is being described as an environmental protection step, but local criticism is growing that it could increase the risk of heatstroke and sunburn during the intense summer heat.
According to foreign media outlets including the Daily Mail, the rule is being enforced at Punta Molentis Beach, a popular tourist destination on the southern Italian island of Sardinia.
Local authorities recently announced new usage rules when the beach reopened, restricting parasol use for certain age groups.
Under the new rules, only families with children under 10 and seniors aged 65 or older may set up one parasol on the beach. Even then, they must pay an admission fee of 10 euros, or about 17,000 won. Visitors between 10 and 65 are banned from bringing and installing their own parasols.
Beach access hours have also been restricted. Visitors may enter only between 8 a.m. and 8:30 p.m., and leaving the beach becomes mandatory after 9 p.m. Authorities have also banned the installation of tents and pavilion-style structures. The measures are expected to remain in place until the end of October.
Once the new rules became known, local residents and tourists reacted strongly. In particular, concerns have been raised that prolonged exposure to the sun without shade, especially when temperatures approach 40 degrees Celsius in midsummer, could increase the risk of skin cancer and heatstroke.
Criticism has flooded local social media.
Users posted complaints such as, "You get to pay 10 euros to enter and then have the special experience of not being allowed to use a parasol," "It means only people raising children or those over 65 are allowed to have shade," "You may end up spending the day at the beach and then going to the emergency room for burn treatment," and "I want to know whether they will take responsibility if someone gets burned."
Authorities say the restrictions are unavoidable if the beach is to be protected. The beach was previously closed after suffering major damage in a wildfire caused by an arsonist last July. The sudden blaze forced vacationers to evacuate in an emergency, and more than 200 vehicles were trapped in the flames.
Since then, authorities have introduced stricter entry standards, citing changes in the marine environment and recovery from wildfire damage. Because the beach is located within a nature reserve, the goal is to preserve the landscape by minimizing the impact of human activity.
The local government explained the tougher rules by saying, "We need to protect this natural heritage for future generations," but the controversy is likely to continue.
Jang Jong-ho, bellho@sportschosun.com
