"‘I'm Worried About COVID-19’ Citizens Hesitant to Cancel Traffic and Accommodation Reservations During Chuseok Holiday"

Social Distancing During Chuseok? Some Citizens Cancel Transportation Reservations Amid Concerns
Experts Say "If COVID-19 Spread Continues, Holiday Travel Restrictions May Be Needed"
Government States "No Plans to Restrict Chuseok Travel"

On the 1st, when Korail's Chuseok holiday ticket reservation began, a reservation notice was posted in front of the ticket window at Seoul Station.
Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ga-yeon] As the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) resurges, voices are emerging calling for restrictions on movement during the upcoming Chuseok holiday. There are concerns that the virus could spread further due to the crowds traveling between Seoul and other regions to visit their hometowns during the holiday period.

Consequently, some people are attempting to cancel transportation and accommodation reservations made before the COVID-19 resurgence. Experts have urged adherence to social distancing, warning that the increased travel during Chuseok could easily accelerate the spread of COVID-19.

Since the 14th, local infection cases have continued nationwide, including the Seoul metropolitan area, with the COVID-19 spread persisting for over two weeks.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters on the 1st, as of 12 noon, 235 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed. The daily new cases from the 14th have been 103 → 166 → 279 → 197 → 246 → 297 → 288 → 324 → 332 → 397 → 266 → 280 → 320 → 441 → 371 → 323 → 299 → 248 → 235, marking 19 consecutive days of triple-digit figures. During this period, a total of 5,412 new cases were recorded.

Despite the implementation of social distancing level 2.5 measures since the 20th of last month, the spread has not been contained, prompting calls among citizens for movement restrictions during the Chuseok holiday.

This Chuseok holiday spans five days from the 30th of this month to the 4th of next month, but by taking two days of annual leave before the holiday (28th?29th), people can effectively enjoy a 'golden vacation' lasting nine days starting from the 26th.

The problem lies in the concern over COVID-19 spread. During this period, many people travel across various regions for family and relative gatherings or trips, using transportation such as express buses, trains, and airplanes.

Previously, during the 'golden holiday' from late April to early May, the number of confirmed cases surged significantly centered around places like the Itaewon clubs in Seoul. As of midnight on May 14, the number of confirmed cases related to the Itaewon clubs nationwide was recorded at 131, with even a 'fourth transmission' occurring.

Photo by Cheong Wa Dae Petition Board Capture

As a result, there are calls to restrict movement during the Chuseok holiday. On the Blue House (Cheong Wa Dae) public petition board, posts demanding government-level movement restrictions have appeared, such as "Lockdown and long-distance travel restrictions are necessary during the Chuseok holiday" and "Please ban nationwide movement for grave cleaning and Chuseok gatherings."

As of 10:30 a.m. on the 2nd, the petition urging movement restrictions during the Chuseok holiday had garnered 35,552 supporters. Lockdown refers to city-wide lockdown measures.

Petitioners stated in unison, "With COVID-19 resurging, the risk of spreading nationwide through the holiday is greater than ever," and "The government must issue clear guidelines, and even if there is criticism, a decision must be made in the public interest."

On the 10th, tourists are moving their steps at Jeju Airport. Photo by Yonhap News

Some are also reconsidering or canceling plans made for the holiday period.

A 30-year-old office worker, Mr. A, who had planned a family trip during Chuseok, said, "My father is turning 60 this year, so we booked a domestic trip months ago. I didn’t expect the spread to worsen this much right before Chuseok," adding, "We are discussing with family whether to cancel due to cancellation fees."

Office worker B (28) said, "I haven’t been able to visit my hometown since January this year because of COVID-19," and expressed, "I was excited to see my parents after a long time, so I’m disappointed."

He added, "Given the situation, it’s understandable to urge people to refrain from traveling. But I feel unfair because while others are going on trips and vacations, I stayed home, yet I still can’t visit my parents’ home."

Experts emphasize the necessity of restricting long-distance travel and warn that if the spread continues, it could escalate into a large-scale outbreak.

Professor Kim Woo-joo, an infectious disease specialist at Korea University Guro Hospital, told Asia Economy in a phone interview, "If the COVID-19 spread continues, it will be necessary to restrict movement even during the holidays."

However, Professor Kim explained, "Since Chuseok is one of the biggest holidays in the country, it is realistically difficult to impose restrictions. That’s why we proposed a short and intense social distancing level 3 a few weeks ago to reduce daily cases below 50," adding, "Only then can we cautiously observe the 'great national migration' during early October’s Chuseok."

He continued, "The problem is that if the epidemic continues as it is, young people can easily transmit the virus to others during the holiday while carrying it. Also, as the weather gets colder in September and October, the virus may become more active, potentially leading to a large-scale outbreak."

Meanwhile, the government has denied having considered the possibility of movement restrictions during the Chuseok holiday, which was mentioned by some political circles.

Yoon Tae-ho, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters’ quarantine team, stated at a briefing at the Government Complex Sejong on the 25th of last month, "There has been no internal review regarding movement restrictions during the Chuseok holiday."

Yoon explained, "We expect a significant amount of movement during the Chuseok holiday and are preparing various measures. Currently, we are reviewing how to block infection transmission during travel," adding, "We are considering stricter mask-wearing on trains and public transportation, and measures to reduce crowding at places like ancestral grave visits and columbariums."

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