"Is It Okay to Take a Vacation?" Vacation Season Quarantine Alert Amid 'Gangwon-do Camping Site Cluster Infection'

6 People Infected with COVID-19 After Visiting Gangwon-do Campsite
Cluster Infection Occurred at Itaewon Club in Seoul During Early May 'Golden Holiday'
Experts "Personal Quarantine Rules Must Be Followed"

A tent installed at Yeongok Solhyanggi Camping Site in Gangneung-si, Gangwon. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] "Still, we have to go on vacation.", "I already made all my vacation plans, what should I do?"

As a cluster infection occurred at a camping site in Hongcheon, Gangwon-do, concerns about quarantine during the vacation season are growing. Since large-scale population movement takes place during the summer vacation period and tourist density increases, the possibility of cluster infections is pointed out to be higher. Some worry that a situation surpassing the cluster infection originating from the Itaewon clubs in Seoul during the late April to early May holidays could occur. Experts emphasize the need to comply with personal quarantine rules.

The Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH) announced on the 30th, "Six people who camped together in Hongcheon, Gangwon-do from the 24th to 26th tested positive for COVID-19."

According to the quarantine authorities, six families (total 18 people) living in Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, and Sokcho, Gangwon-do gathered for a 2-night, 3-day meeting at a camping site located in Hongcheon from the 24th to 26th. Among them, six people from three families were confirmed positive. Four reside in Gyeonggi-do, and two in Gangwon-do.

They had known each other through an online club and gathered in the same area during the 2-night, 3-day camping, sharing group meals. During this time, they did not properly wear masks and reportedly did not follow quarantine rules such as social distancing.

As cluster infections from outdoor activities emerge, concerns among vacationers are increasing. Some planned their vacations focusing on outdoor tourist spots like campsites and beaches, avoiding indoor facilities due to COVID-19, and feel disheartened by this situation.

Office worker Kim (27) said, "I had already coordinated vacation plans with friends to travel. We even reserved a camping site, so I'm worried if we have to cancel." He added, "I had seen cluster infections indoors like at Shincheonji or Itaewon clubs, but I didn't expect cluster infections to occur outdoors." He continued, "It worries me even more since this happened just before leaving for vacation."

As the peak summer vacation season begins, on the morning of the 27th, travelers are moving after completing their boarding procedures at the domestic terminal of Gimpo Airport in Gangseo-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Because of this, there are concerns that the summer vacation season could become the biggest challenge for COVID-19. This is because social distancing and other quarantine rules may not be properly followed as vacationers flock to major tourist spots. Especially this year, due to the COVID-19 impact making overseas travel virtually impossible, many vacationers are expected to flock to domestic tourist destinations.

Earlier, during the 'Golden Holiday' period from late April to early May, cluster infection cases caused controversy. At that time, infections originating from Itaewon clubs spread nationwide, causing a sharp increase in new confirmed cases. The proportion of so-called 'dark figure patients,' whose infection locations or routes were unknown, also increased.

Notably, this summer vacation is expected to see more population movement than the late April to early May holiday period. The Korea Expressway Corporation predicted that traffic volume during this summer vacation will be about 4.73 million vehicles, exceeding last year's 4.69 million vehicles.

Beaches are already crowded with vacationers. According to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries on the 15th, the number of visitors to open beaches in the second week of July reached 760,000. Especially on Saturday the 11th, about 420,000 visitors came, a 62% increase compared to the same day last year. The total number of visitors for the second week reached 1.8 million.

As concerns about COVID-19 rise, some citizens believe travel should be refrained from until the situation calms down. Office worker Lee (28) said, "Until last month, I felt frustrated because of COVID-19 and planned to travel even to nearby places. But I realized that the careless thought of 'I'll be fine' could lead to COVID-19 infection. This holiday, I plan to rest at home rather than go anywhere."

Visitors to Haeundae Beach in Busan, which opened on the 1st, are consoling their disappointment on the sandy beach as swimming is prohibited due to high waves. [Image source=Yonhap News]

With growing concerns about cluster infections, the CDCH repeatedly urges tourists to comply with personal quarantine rules.

At a regular briefing on the 30th, Kwon Junwook, Deputy Director of the CDCH, said, "Even outdoors at summer vacation spots, environments with '3Cs' (closed spaces, crowded places, close-contact settings) can occur, so social distancing and mask-wearing are absolutely necessary."

He added, "You cannot feel safe just because it is outdoors like beaches, mountains, or camping sites. Cluster infection cases through camping during the vacation season can lead to new outbreaks or spread in other places and situations."

Deputy Director Kwon pointed out, "Group tours or charter buses where many people move at once and have group meals increase the risk of COVID-19 cluster infections," and recommended, "If possible, please travel in family units or small groups and enjoy your vacation on-site."

Experts emphasize the need to strengthen quarantine measures. Professor Kim Woojoo, an infectious disease specialist at Korea University Guro Hospital, said, "Since the vacation season has started, many people in the metropolitan area will flock to tourist spots like Jeju Island, the southwestern coast, and Gangwon-do. The risk of nationwide COVID-19 spread is increasing."

He continued, "You cannot categorically say 'outdoors is safe and indoors is risky.' However, it is important to strictly follow preventive measures such as social distancing and mask-wearing."

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