Won Hee-ryong: "180,000 Jeju Tourism Reservations for Golden Holiday... Border-Level Quarantine Measures in Preparation"

Safety Over Economy, Cooperation Needed

On the morning of February 21, when the first confirmed case of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) occurred in Jeju, Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong announced a statement containing content on overcoming the crisis following the first confirmed case in Jeju.
Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] Won Hee-ryong, Governor of Jeju Province, announced on the 28th that "about 180,000 Jeju tourism reservations have been made for the golden holiday period."

In an interview with KBS Radio's 'Kim Kyung-rae's Strongest Current Affairs' on the same day, Governor Won said, "We are preparing an enhanced quarantine system at the level of border control."

He added, "If management is only at the airport and port, it is regionally blocked like a border, so I think there is a relatively advantageous aspect."

He continued, "We welcome tourists coming, but COVID-19 should not come. This does not mean we absolutely forbid coming. If you do come, please come with a special mental preparation and a sense of responsibility to cooperate with quarantine measures."

Governor Won explained, "If you have even the slightest abnormal symptoms, you should not come even if your group goes. In Jeju, we plan to lower the fever criteria starting from the airport, and if there is any abnormality in the body, diagnosis and treatment will be conducted."

He further stated, "For example, if the body temperature exceeds 37.3 degrees Celsius, doctors or experts will ask more detailed questions, and then request more specific cooperation regarding quarantine. However, if someone hides this and wanders around thinking 'it will be okay,' causing inconvenience, we will have no choice but to respond to protect Jeju."

He said, "Most facilities in the province are open. However, inside them, masks, sanitizers, and maintaining distance must be observed," adding, "Currently, even the Dolharubang statues are maintaining a 2-meter distance."

He also said, "Tourist facilities are maintaining strict quarantine order, so if you cooperate, we believe managing (180,000) tourists is possible. But if you feel unwell, please refrain from traveling to Jeju, and if you feel unwell during the entry process or travel, please report immediately," urging again.

Finally, he said, "Safety comes before the economy. Even if there is some hardship, we must maintain clean quarantine," adding, "Enduring these inconveniences is the minimum consideration and courtesy toward others, and I consider it civic consciousness."

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