Suncheon-si Advises Refraining from Travel During Chuseok Holiday While Maintaining Social Distancing Level 2

Disaster Relief Funds, Aiming to Provide to All Citizens Whenever Possible

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] Suncheon City (Mayor Heo Seok) has maintained social distancing level 2 and recommended refraining from travel during the Chuseok holiday to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Mayor Heo Seok of Suncheon stated in a press release around 10 a.m. on the 21st, “Following the government’s standard guidelines, we will maintain the current measures and review adjustments to social distancing levels nationwide or regionally after the 12th of next month, considering the situation.”

Accordingly, Suncheon City is expected to maintain the eased measures of social distancing level 2 until the end of the Chuseok and Hangul Day holidays on the 11th of next month. However, there remains the possibility of adjusting distancing levels by sector through discussions with the public-private joint countermeasure committee.

Regarding disaster relief funds, he said, “We are exploring various plans aiming to provide support to all citizens as much as possible,” and added, “We will gather diverse opinions and consult with the city council to decide and inform citizens as quickly as possible.”

On the local economy, which has been stagnated due to COVID-19, he stated, “There are limits to revitalizing the depressed local commercial districts with government support or Suncheon City’s efforts alone,” and appealed, “Just as all citizens united to quickly block the local spread of COVID-19, please actively participate in the Good Rent Campaign and local shopping promotion campaigns to once again join forces for economic revitalization.”

Mayor Heo cited the situation during the last Liberation Day holiday when an elderly man in his 80s was infected by a child who came down from Seoul, causing concern in areas such as Gurye and Busan Haeundae, saying that the love for family ironically put them at risk. He urged, “Although it is regrettable and unfortunate to recommend refraining from travel during the nation’s biggest holiday, Chuseok, please refrain from traveling this year for the safety of your family and relatives.”

He also requested, “Even if parents want to see their children or grandparents want to see their grandchildren, please endure this once and stay at home,” and asked to “greet each other via video calls, use proxy services for grave cleaning, and perform ancestral rites online.”

Meanwhile, Suncheon City reported that although about 60 people were infected over approximately 10 days following confirmed cases originating from Seoul on the 19th of last month, no new confirmed cases from new routes have occurred since August 29th, making it a case of successful short-term quarantine recognized by local governments nationwide.

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