"Sorry in This Situation" Citizens 'Boiling' Over 'Going Out Proof Shots'

Social Distancing Level 2.5 Enforced from the 30th
Travelers Take 'Certification Shots' Without Wearing Masks
Experts: Citizens Following Social Distancing May Feel Relative Deprivation

If you search '#이시국에' in the Instagram search bar, about 32,000 posts appear, and if you search '#이시국에죄송합니다', about 1,000 posts appear. Photo by Instagram capture.

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] "I'm sorry for traveling during this situation," "But I still wore a mask."

As the government strengthened social distancing measures to level 2.5 in the Seoul metropolitan area to prevent the resurgence of COVID-19, some citizens have been criticized for posting so-called 'outing certification shots,' which ignore social distancing rules. In particular, some of them were seen not properly wearing masks at travel destinations or gathering in groups to eat, violating quarantine guidelines.

Some argue that this reflects a failure to fully recognize the seriousness of COVID-19. Experts worry that ordinary citizens who strictly follow social distancing may feel a relative sense of deprivation.

The government announced that from midnight on the 30th until midnight on the 6th of next month, enhanced social distancing will be implemented in the metropolitan area for eight days to curb the spread of COVID-19.

As a result, restaurants, pubs, hof houses, chicken restaurants, snack bars, fast food outlets, and bakeries in the metropolitan area are prohibited from allowing the consumption of food and beverages inside the premises from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. the next day, and franchise coffee and beverage specialty stores are only allowed to offer takeout and delivery regardless of time.

Despite the strengthened social distancing, certification photos of people enjoying outdoor activities continue to be posted on social media, sparking controversy. They appear to be enjoying their last vacation by traveling to destinations despite concerns about the spread of COVID-19.

Especially on Instagram, many photos have been posted with hashtags such as '#InThisSituation', '#SorryForTravelingInThisSituation', and '#TravelDuringThisSituation'. These indicate that they are aware of the urgent situation of COVID-19 but still announce their outings.

One netizen posted a photo with the beach as the background, adding the caption "But I wore a mask, so it should be okay" along with the hashtag 'SorryForTravelingInThisSituation.'

In response, citizens have criticized some netizens' 'outing certification shots.' As concerns about a COVID-19 resurgence grow, many citizens are refraining from traveling and outdoor activities, and posting photos boasting about outings is seen as selfish.

One netizen tweeted, "Honestly, people who travel during this situation deserve criticism. Medical staff are sweating profusely inside protective suits, various industries are collapsing one after another, so where does the idea come from that you must go out and take certification photos?" He added, "I understand if you have to travel a long distance for unavoidable reasons, but I cannot understand people who are literally just going out for fun." This tweet had been retweeted over 5,580 times as of 9:45 a.m. on the 31st.

On the 30th, vacationers are cooling off at Songjeong Beach in Busan. Beaches in the Busan area were closed early on the 21st as a preventive measure against COVID-19. [Image source=Yonhap News]

There are also concerns that citizens' awareness of social distancing has dulled as COVID-19 prolongs.

Office worker Kim (27) said, "In the metropolitan area, about 300 COVID-19 cases continue to be reported daily. Traveling in this situation is selfish," and criticized, "Everyone wants to go out, but they are holding back for the sake of all. I wonder why people have to boast about their travel photos on social media during this time."

He added, "As the COVID-19 situation drags on, people tend to take it lightly. It seems they go out thinking 'I won't get infected.'"

Consequently, petitions calling for raising social distancing to level 3 have been posted on the Blue House's public petition website. In particular, a petition titled 'Please Implement Social Distancing Level 3' posted on the 19th had gained about 2,980 supporters as of 10 a.m. on the 31st.

The petitioner said, "Please strictly implement social distancing at level 3 for at least two weeks and block foreign entries," and pointed out, "Religious groups that held gatherings without masks are also at fault. However, it is true that the government has also relaxed its vigilance."

He added, "If the government cares about its people, it should firmly deal with matters directly related to public health. Only then can the economy survive," urging the government to take a strong stance.

On the 19th, a petition titled "Request to Implement Social Distancing Level 3" was posted on the Blue House National Petition website. Photo by Blue House National Petition website capture.

Experts pointed out that 'outing certification shots' posted by some travelers may cause many citizens who follow social distancing to feel a relative sense of deprivation.

Professor Kwak Geumju of Seoul National University's Department of Psychology said, "Those who post 'outing certification shots' on social media do so out of a desire to show off that they are taking risks, unlike others," and added, "Some citizens may follow those posting such photos and force themselves to go out and take pictures."

He continued, "If such posts continue, people who are strictly following social distancing may feel, 'Why do I have to suffer like this alone?' leading to a sense of relative deprivation. They may even feel resentment about the situation," expressing concern.

Meanwhile, the government defined raising the social distancing level to 2.5 in the metropolitan area as the 'last line of defense to suppress the spread.'

Yoon Taeho, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters' quarantine team, said at a COVID-19 regular briefing on the 29th, "Cluster infections have simultaneously occurred in churches, door-to-door sales, medical institutions and nursing facilities, workplaces, and small gatherings, with the cumulative number of cases in the metropolitan area exceeding 3,500 since the 14th," emphasizing, "Now is the time to focus all efforts on minimizing movement of metropolitan residents to slow the infection speed as much as possible."

He added, "We are now standing at the last line of defense to suppress the spread in the metropolitan area," warning, "If this wave does not subside, the only option left is the 'extreme measure' of raising to level 3."

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