Even Wednesday Rallies Go Untact... Wedding Ceremonies Canceled One After Another

Citizens Actively Participating in Social Distancing
Avoiding Crowded Places Like Gyms and Cafes
Significant Decrease in Late-Night Visitors at Hangang Park

Some Exhibitions Fail to Follow Quarantine Rules, Causing Concern
Air Conditioner Use and Ventilation Guidelines Also Difficult to Enforce

On the 19th, a notice of business suspension is posted at a karaoke room on Jeonggak Youth Street in Seoul. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporters Byungdon Yoo, Donghoon Jung, Jeongyun Lee] #Self-proclaimed 'fitness enthusiast' Yoon Seongho (29, pseudonym) decided to stop exercising for about a month starting from the 18th. Over the past three years, he had consistently built muscle by going to the gym three to four times a week, but the fear of the resurgence of COVID-19 forced this decision. Yoon said, "It's unsettling because you never know when or where a COVID-19 case might appear," adding, "Although gyms remain open, I have no choice but to be cautious myself." From the 19th, as COVID-19 daily quarantine guidelines were further strengthened, voluntary social distancing is being actively practiced and observed throughout society. Not only high-risk facilities where large groups gather, but also places with many people such as gyms and coffee shops are clearly being avoided.

◆Further strengthened voluntary social distancing... Weddings also being canceled one after another = The evening before the government announced the implementation of strengthened social distancing measures, citizens gathered at Yanghwa Hangang Park in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, to enjoy outdoor activities after a long rainy season. Families holding their children's hands for a walk and people enjoying running or cycling were noticeable throughout the park. However, considering the clear weather, the park was relatively less crowded compared to previous years. It was also hard to find tent campers who usually densely occupy the area to avoid tropical nights. The parasols in front of convenience stores, which were usually packed with people eating beer and snacks, had many empty spots.

The number of gym users also noticeably decreased. A representative of a gym in Seongdong-gu said, "Since Liberation Day, the number of people coming to exercise has gradually decreased," adding, "We have been receiving steady calls asking about the quarantine situation." The weekly Wednesday rallies, which had been held as press conferences since the outbreak of COVID-19, were also held online (untact). The Justice Memory Solidarity announced, "Those who wish to participate in the Wednesday demonstrations should not come to the site until further notice and join via YouTube live broadcast."

Weddings, a representative event where many people gather, are also being canceled one after another. From the 19th, the government decided not to allow weddings with 50 or more people indoors or 100 or more people outdoors having face-to-face contact. It is not possible to gather in one place to take commemorative photos or go together to buffet restaurants for meals, and buffet restaurants inside wedding halls are classified as 'high-risk facilities' and will be closed entirely. Kang (30), who had already postponed a wedding scheduled for May once, said, "They said that if quarantine guidelines are violated, fines will be imposed on attendees, so I cannot invite guests indiscriminately," adding, "But I also cannot cancel the wedding just a month away, so I feel at a loss."

◆Some still show insensitivity... Risks of indoor activities to avoid heat = Although the number of confirmed cases is increasing exponentially around Liberation Day, places where quarantine awareness seems lacking are still common. A (32) who visited an exhibition held at the Seoul Arts Center in Seocho-gu on the temporary holiday of the 17th said, "Before entering, people were wearing masks and keeping distance well, but after entering, they were crowded closely together watching the exhibition, which gave a somewhat relaxed feeling."

The increase in indoor activities due to the heat wave nationwide after the rainy season lasting until mid-August is also considered a risk factor for infection spread. In particular, the use of air conditioning and failure to follow ventilation guidelines are cited as problems. Religious facilities where cluster infections occurred, such as Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu (438 cases), Antioch Church in Nowon-gu (15 cases), and Yoido Full Gospel Church (10 cases), share the commonality of hundreds or thousands of people engaging in indoor activities in confined spaces. Professor Cheon Eunmi of the Respiratory Medicine Department at Ewha Mokdong Hospital said, "Although the COVID-19 virus is known to be relatively vulnerable to hot and humid environments, using air conditioning blocks air circulation and lowers indoor temperature and humidity, which actually increases the virus's survival rate," adding, "It is necessary to ventilate sufficiently at least every two hours."

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