[Report] "I Feel Alive Once Outside" Airport Bustling During Golden Holiday Amid COVID-19 Spread Concerns

Crowds Head to Jeju Airport for Golden Holiday
Tourism Association: "Jeju Travel During Holiday Expected to Exceed 220,000, Surpassing Initial 180,000 Estimate"
Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong Urges "Active Cooperation in Airport Quarantine"

On the first day of the holiday, citizens lined up at the domestic terminal of Gimpo Airport to check in for flights to Jeju Island. Photo by Min Jun-young, intern reporter mjy7051@asiae.co.kr

[Asia Economy (Gimpo) = Reporter Han Seung-gon, Intern Reporter Min Jun-young] "I feel like I'm suffocating because I've been stuck inside all the time. I want to get some fresh air."

On the 1st, university student A (26) met at Gimpo Airport domestic terminal said this while showing a ticket to Jeju Island. He canceled a trip to Vietnam with friends planned for last February due to the impact of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

Then, as domestic COVID-19 cases began to ease, he decided to travel to Jeju Island. He emphasized, "I'm worried about COVID-19, but as the number of confirmed cases gradually decreases, I think it won't be a problem if we are careful."

During the golden holiday period from the end of last month to the beginning of this month, the number of tourists visiting Jeju Island is rapidly increasing. The number of tourists traveling to Jeju during this holiday period, which lasts up to six days, is expected to exceed the initially anticipated 170,000 and approach 220,000.

According to the Jeju Tourism Association, from the 29th of last month to the 1st of this month, three days before the golden holiday, 116,113 tourists visited Jeju Island, which is 34,201 (42.1%) more than the 81,912 tourists expected before the holiday.

The association expects the number of tourists visiting Jeju during the holiday period to exceed the initially forecasted 179,000 and reach about 220,000.

On the 1st, citizens are waiting to check in and drop off their luggage at an airline check-in counter in the domestic terminal of Gimpo Airport. Photo by Min Junyoung, intern reporter mjy7051@asiae.co.kr

The problem is the concern over the spread of COVID-19. The government announced that it would implement 'relaxed social distancing' from the 20th of last month until the 5th of this month. As new confirmed cases decreased to single digits per day, the plan is to lower the intensity from strict 'social distancing' by lifting restrictions on some group facilities.

However, as the concentration of tourists in Jeju increases, concerns are rising that it could lead to new cluster infections.

Office worker B (33) expressed anxiety, saying, "Although social distancing has been somewhat relaxed, it seems people are not being cautious enough."

He added, "I don't understand why people are already lowering their guard when even one infected person among so many tourists could cause problems," and said, "Social distancing is still in place, but it seems like people are losing their vigilance, which worries me."

University student C (21) also criticized, saying, "There have clearly been cluster infections in certain religious groups, so going to a tourist spot where about 200,000 people gather just because it's frustrating is selfish behavior," and added, "It disregards the hard work of medical staff working on the front lines." He expressed anxiety, saying, "I'm worried that cluster infections might occur again two weeks after the holiday ends."

On the day before the holiday, the 29th of last month, a Jeju Airport employee is checking the body temperatures of arriving passengers. Photo by Min Junyoung, intern reporter mjy7051@asiae.co.kr

However, some argue that these concerns are excessive. Office worker D (43), who said he was traveling to Jeju with his family, said, "Overreacting can be harmful," and emphasized, "Looking at the recent number of domestic confirmed cases, if you wear a mask and thoroughly follow quarantine measures, it should be fine to go out and have fun." He also criticized, "It's violent to criticize people who go out during the holiday unconditionally."

Office worker E (35), who said she was going on a honeymoon, said, "I got married in March but couldn't go on a honeymoon at that time. Since it would be difficult to find time otherwise, I plan to avoid crowded places as much as possible."

There are also those welcoming the influx of tourists to Jeju. According to the Korea Tourism Industry Association, the estimated damage to the domestic tourism industry due to the COVID-19 crisis until the first half of this year amounts to 54 trillion won. The tourism industry economy has shrunk due to restrictions on movement for quarantine, losing foreign tourists and limiting domestic tourist movement.

Given this situation, local merchants are welcoming visitors. Self-employed F (55), who has been running a restaurant business in Jeju City for five years, said, "It's still true that there is anxiety, but for now, I feel relieved because customers are gathering." He added, "It was tough recently as foot traffic stopped due to COVID-19, but during this holiday, there are hardly any empty seats."

Meanwhile, Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong visited Jeju International Airport on the 30th of last month to inspect COVID-19 quarantine sites. On that day, Governor Won said, "Until treatments and vaccines are developed, Jeju must maintain a safe tourism policy," and urged, "Since Jeju has great symbolic value as a COVID-19 clean area, airlines should actively cooperate with airport quarantine."

Currently, according to health authorities, Jeju has lowered the fever screening standard from 37.5 degrees Celsius to 37.3 degrees Celsius to encourage COVID-19 diagnostic testing. In addition, arriving visitors with fever or suspicious symptoms undergo medical interviews, and if necessary, specimens are collected through a walk-through screening clinic set up in the Jeju Airport parking lot.

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