"Are You Following Quarantine Rules During Your Chukangseu Getaway?" Citizens Feel 'Anxiety' Over COVID-19 During Chuseok Holiday

Airport Crowds for 'Chukangseu'... Citizens Express "Concerns Over COVID-19 Spread" Anxiety
Health Authorities Say "COVID-19 Fall Wave Depends on Chuseok Holiday"

On the afternoon of the 28th, Jeju quarantine officials and airport staff are conducting passenger fever screenings using thermal cameras at the arrival hall of Jeju International Airport. The Jeju Tourism Association expects 300,000 tourists to visit Jeju during the Chuseok golden holiday period from the 26th of this month to the 4th of next month. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] There is growing criticism toward the so-called 'Chukangs' (a portmanteau of Chuseok and vacation) who are traveling during the Chuseok holiday. In particular, Jeju Island is expected to see up to 300,000 visitors, raising concerns that the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) might spread again. Health authorities have repeatedly urged compliance with COVID-19 prevention guidelines during the holiday period.

According to the aviation industry on the 30th, from the day before the official start of the Chuseok holiday (29th) until the 4th of next month, a total of 947,159 passengers are expected to use more than 10 airports nationwide (excluding Incheon), including Gimpo, Gimhae, and Jeju airports. The average daily number of passengers during this period is projected to be 157,860.

The expected number of passengers by regional airport is as follows: △ Jeju Airport with 377,424 passengers, the highest; △ Gimpo with 319,914; △ Gimhae with 125,246; △ Gwangju with 34,658; △ Cheongju with 30,884; △ Daegu with 27,866; and △ Yeosu with 11,533.

Additionally, the busiest days at airports during the holiday are predicted to be the 29th and 30th, with 164,095 and 163,226 people traveling nationwide, respectively.

As a result, concerns are growing that COVID-19 cases might surge due to the hundreds of thousands of Chukangs. Previously, health authorities had expressed worries that COVID-19 could occur in densely populated areas during vacation seasons.

On July 7th, at a regular briefing held at the Osong Disease Control Headquarters in Chungbuk, Kwon Jun-wook, Deputy Director of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, stated, "Field epidemiologists have expressed that 'local infections are currently sporadic, so the situation is not yet safe, and especially due to population movement and crowded environments during vacation seasons, incidents similar to those experienced in late April and early May could occur at any time.'"

He continued, "Looking back at April, although there was confidence in the prevention efforts, shortly after, a club-related infection caused the situation to collapse instantly. It took more than two months to suppress and control it, and the aftereffects are still ongoing," he explained.

On the afternoon of the 28th, Jeju Island quarantine officials and airport staff are conducting passenger fever screenings using thermal cameras at the arrival hall of Jeju International Airport. The Jeju Tourism Association expects 300,000 tourists to visit Jeju during the Chuseok golden holiday period from the 26th of this month to the 4th of next month. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Citizens voiced criticism toward those going on Chukangs amid their anxiety. Kim, a 30-year-old office worker who said she would neither visit her hometown nor travel this Chuseok, emphasized, "Honestly, I want to travel somewhere nearby, but since doctors and nurses suffer several times more because of one person's leisure, I canceled all my plans."

Kim added, "I hope those going on Chukangs at least follow the prevention guidelines well. If they ignore these rules, I think they are just selfish." She further stated, "Such people seem to have little regard for the safety of our society."

Another office worker in his 40s, Park, said, "I believe that preventing COVID-19 is the best course of action right now. If prevention collapses again, small business owners and self-employed people will suffer greatly." He criticized, "In a situation where people are asked to refrain from visiting their hometowns to prevent COVID-19, going on trips is honestly hard to understand."

On the afternoon of the 24th, the departure hall of Terminal 1 at Incheon International Airport is bustling with passengers bound for Mongolia who are preparing to check in. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Given the situation, tourist spots are making all-out efforts to prevent the '3Cs' (Closed spaces, Crowded places, Close-contact settings). Jeju Island announced high-intensity measures, including mandatory mask-wearing during the stay for visitors and criminal charges and claims for quarantine costs in case of violations of special administrative measures.

Additionally, on the 25th, a ban on gatherings (suspension of operations) was imposed on 1,379 entertainment establishments of five types and seven direct sales promotion centers such as door-to-door sales within the province.

The five types of entertainment establishments include 781 clubs and entertainment bars, 8 colatecs, and 591 karaoke bars. The province will take legal action (imposing fines up to 3 million KRW) against entertainment venues violating this ban. Furthermore, if confirmed cases occur, claims for related hospitalization, treatment, and quarantine costs will also be pursued.

Health authorities urged compliance with COVID-19 prevention guidelines during the Chuseok holiday period due to the risk of virus spread.

Park Neung-hoo, the first head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH), said on the 30th regarding COVID-19 prevention during the Chuseok holiday, "Whether there will be a fall wave of COVID-19 depends on how we spend this Chuseok holiday."

Before the CDSCH meeting held at the Government Seoul Office that day, Park emphasized, "Whether the infection centered in the metropolitan area will spread nationwide again or whether we can return to the awaited daily life depends on all of our actions."

He added, "This Chuseok, more than ever, the participation and cooperation of the public are crucial to protect the health of families and the safety of the community from COVID-19. Instead of visiting hometowns or traveling, please enjoy cultural activities at home with your family or use quiet neighborhood parks," he urged.

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