Due to COVID-19 Spread in the Capital Area... Considering Postponement of Travel Week Starting on the 20th

On the 8th, Seoul Medical Center in Jungnang-gu, Seoul, was bustling with medical staff conducting COVID-19 free proactive testing for the general public to prevent community cluster infections caused by asymptomatic COVID-19 carriers. This measure by the Seoul Metropolitan Government aims to identify 'silent spreaders' through active proactive testing amid increasing sporadic infections with unclear transmission routes, including asymptomatic cases. Citizens can apply through the Seoul city website and visit designated municipal hospitals to receive free testing. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] The government is considering postponing the travel week schedule, which was planned to be implemented from late this month, to revitalize domestic tourism. This measure comes in response to the resurgence of COVID-19 infections, mainly in the metropolitan area.

A Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism official stated on the 8th that internal discussions are underway regarding whether to postpone the travel week scheduled to begin on the 20th, and a decision will be made soon after consultations with related ministries.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism had planned to implement travel week from the 20th of this month and apply public transportation discount programs to boost domestic tourism, as announced at the 5th National Tourism Strategy Meeting on the 26th of last month. The travel week, which usually lasts two weeks annually, was extended to one month until July 19 this year considering the depressed tourism market due to COVID-19.

However, with the recent increase in new COVID-19 cases mainly in the metropolitan area, some voices are calling for strengthening social distancing measures from everyday distancing again, making it difficult to encourage travel.

A Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism official said, "The existing policy to promote a culture of safe travel while complying with quarantine guidelines will not change," adding, "We will announce the results after sufficient discussions with quarantine authorities regarding the option to delay the implementation schedule." The ministry had planned to distribute a press release introducing travel week on the 9th, but this has also been postponed until the discussion results are finalized.

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