"Reluctantly Using Public Transport Amid COVID-19... Citizens Fearful of Crowded Transit"

Confirmed COVID-19 Cases Use Subway and Public Transportation
Some Citizens Say "Uncomfortable Taking Public Transit"

Amid concerns over the spread of the novel coronavirus, on the morning of the 29th of last month, citizens wearing masks were walking at Gwanghwamun Station on Seoul Subway Line 5. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] "I have no choice but to use the subway, but it feels uncomfortable"

As it became known that confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia) used buses and subways, the number of citizens avoiding public transportation due to infection concerns is increasing. Some citizens are even wearing gloves when commuting. Seoul Metro has significantly strengthened cleaning and disinfection of trains, restrooms, and station facilities.

Office worker A (29) said, "These days, I leave earlier than usual for work. I want to drive a car, but since I can't afford it, I have no choice but to use public transportation," adding, "Since many people take the subway, it feels uncomfortable. So I deliberately avoid rush hour and go to work early."

According to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of the 4th, there are a total of 16 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in the country. Among them, some confirmed patients showed symptoms related to the novel coronavirus for as short as 3 days and as long as 8 days but moved around the community without restrictions.

In particular, patient number 12 did not suspect infection with the novel coronavirus and traveled between Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, Seoul, Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, and Gangwon Province for 8 days. During this period, patient number 12 used public transportation such as the subway and KTX. Currently, this patient's wife (patient number 14) was also confirmed positive while under self-quarantine.

Patient number 5 was classified as a subject of active monitoring but used public transportation after symptoms appeared, visiting restaurants, wedding shops, and beauty facilities. An acquaintance of this patient (patient number 9) was also confirmed positive.

Amid the spreading fear of the novel coronavirus infection known as 'Wuhan pneumonia,' on the morning of the 29th of last month, citizens wearing masks were waiting for a bus at a bus stop in Masanhappo-gu, Changwon City. Photo by Yonhap News

Health authorities disinfected the environments visited by confirmed patients, but some citizens' anxiety remains. There is concern that the possibility of infection is higher in public transportation such as subways and buses because of contact with many unspecified people.

Office worker B (27) said, "I recently saw an article that confirmed patients used public transportation. Maybe because of that, I feel uneasy holding subway handrails," adding, "Also, these days, even if there are empty seats on the subway, I tend not to sit."

He continued, "I worry whether there might be a confirmed patient on the subway I board," and added, "Since this is not something I can prevent just by being careful, I worry even more."

Meanwhile, some people have started wearing gloves on public transportation. Office worker C (27), who frequently uses Line 3, said, "Recently, I saw people wearing surgical gloves on the subway," adding, "It made me think that concerns about the novel coronavirus are serious, and it also felt uncomfortable."

As concerns grew, Seoul Metro has significantly strengthened cleaning and disinfection of facilities that are frequently touched, such as trains, restrooms, and station facilities.

The company increased the disinfection of train handrails from once a week to twice a week, and train seats are sprayed with disinfectant upon train arrival instead of once a week. The frequency of fogging disinfection, which was done once every two months, has been increased to once a month. High-temperature steam cleaning will also be conducted twice a week instead of once.

Choi Jeonggyun, Acting President of Seoul Metro, said, "We will make every effort to thoroughly carry out quarantine and disinfection in the Seoul subway to prevent the spread of the virus," and added, "We hope citizens using the subway will wear masks, wash their hands after use, and observe public order."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.