Government Advises Against Returning Home for Chuseok... No Plans to Restrict Travel Rights (Comprehensive)

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A notice board at Seoul Station stating that in order to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection, Chuseok holiday train tickets will be sold 100% non-face-to-face in advance through online and telephone sales. / Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Jo] The government has advised people to refrain from visiting their hometowns and relatives during the Chuseok holiday as much as possible to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH) announced at a regular briefing on the 6th that, considering that the COVID-19 outbreak has not yet stabilized, it is necessary to strengthen quarantine measures during the Chuseok holiday. They revealed the Chuseok quarantine measures containing such recommendations. The CDSCH stated, "Given the current trend, it is predicted that it will be impossible to completely control asymptomatic and latent infections by Chuseok, which is three weeks away," and added, "Since there is a high possibility of infection spreading at family and relative gatherings involving long-distance travel, we ask that you stay at home as much as possible for your family and relatives this Chuseok."

The CDSCH recommended refraining from visiting ancestral graves or memorial facilities and suggested using the online grave visitation service provided through the 'e-Haneul Funeral Information System' starting from the 21st. Additionally, a prior reservation system for visitors to indoor memorial facilities will be implemented for two weeks around the Chuseok holiday (from the 3rd week of September to the 3rd week of October), and ceremonial rooms and family rest areas within memorial facilities will be closed. Eating food inside memorial facilities is also prohibited.

The CDSCH stated that they are not considering any measures to forcibly restrict the public's right to travel during the Chuseok period. Accordingly, railway tickets will be sold only for window seats during advance booking, limiting total sales to 50%, and similar quarantine measures have been prepared for express and intercity buses, recommending priority booking of window seats. At hometown homes, the number of participants in ancestral rites should be minimized, the duration of stay should be short, masks must be worn when meeting relatives, and personal hygiene rules such as regular ventilation, disinfection, and handwashing must be strictly followed.

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