Traffic Congestion Peaks on Chuseok First Day Return Trip... Health Authorities Warn "Chuseok Could Be a Turning Point for COVID-19 Spread, Please Refrain from Travel"

On the afternoon of the 29th, ahead of the Chuseok holiday, the Gyeongbu Expressway near the Singal Junction in Yongin-si, Gyeonggi Province, is congested with vehicles heading home, as seen from a police helicopter.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hanah Na] As the momentum of COVID-19 subsides around the end of August, health authorities have reiterated "restrictions on movement and quarantine rules," stating that "this Chuseok holiday could be a critical turning point." However, on the first day of the Chuseok holiday, September 30, the Chuseok homecoming traffic is still congested with vehicles across various expressways nationwide, causing severe traffic jams.

The Central Disease Control Headquarters expressed concern about a COVID-19 resurgence, stating, “The biggest inflection point for the increase or decrease in confirmed cases is expected to be during the Chuseok holiday period.”

Yoon Tae-ho, head of quarantine at the Central Accident Response Headquarters, said at the regular briefing on the 30th, “If the situation is not properly controlled during the Chuseok holiday, there is a possibility that confirmed cases will surge again after the holiday ends,” and strongly urged, “We ask the public once again to comply with quarantine rules and to rest at home as much as possible.”

Trains operating during the Chuseok period, such as KTX and SRT, have also reduced their seating capacity by half to maintain social distancing and prevent a COVID-19 resurgence.

Despite the health authorities’ requests, the homecoming traffic situation shows a 'vehicle congestion' phenomenon with long lines of cars. Traffic jams are especially persistent near Busan, Gangneung, and around Yongin. According to the Korea Expressway Corporation on the 30th, 4.57 million vehicles are expected nationwide, with 470,000 vehicles moving from the metropolitan area to local regions and 310,000 vehicles moving from local regions to the metropolitan area. Additionally, the congestion from the previous day is expected to continue overnight, increase again from early morning, and only ease by evening.

Meanwhile, expressway tolls will be charged from the first day of the Chuseok holiday until October 2. Although tolls have been waived during holiday periods since 2017, this time they are being collected to prevent the spread and resurgence of COVID-19.

Furthermore, quarantine measures at rest areas during the Chuseok holiday have been strengthened. Visitors must undergo a temperature check and fill out an entry log before entering stores. Eating inside rest areas is prohibited, but takeout is allowed. These enhanced quarantine measures at rest areas will be in effect until the 4th.

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