[Report] Crowded Without Masks... Concerns Over Market-Originated COVID Spread During Chuseok Holiday (Comprehensive)

Turning Point in COVID-19 Spread During Chuseok Holiday... Concerns Over 'Invisible Infections' in Some Markets
People Buying Food While Standing in Long Lines Without Masks
Some Vendors Selling Outdoor Displayed Food Without Hygienic Plastic Wrapping
Health Authorities: "Chuseok Holiday Period Is the Biggest Turning Point in Declining Trend"

On the afternoon of the previous day (September 30), people were lining up to buy rice cakes at a traditional market in Seoul. Some were not wearing masks at all and were standing very close to others, raising concerns that the novel coronavirus infection might spread again through markets and similar places. The government repeatedly urged compliance with quarantine rules, stating that the Chuseok holiday period could be a turning point for COVID-19. Photo by Hana Na, intern reporter skgksdk9115@asiae.co.kr

[Asia Economy reporters Seunggon Han and Hana Na] Concerns are growing that so-called 'traditional market-originated' COVID-19 infections may spread during the Chuseok holiday period.

At a traditional market in Seoul visited on the afternoon of September 30, many instances of improper adherence to quarantine rules were observed. People buying holiday food stood closely packed in long lines, and some vendors sold food displayed on the street without hygienic plastic barriers, raising significant concerns about COVID-19 transmission through droplets. Some citizens were even seen walking around the market without wearing masks.

Health authorities emphasized that the Chuseok holiday period could be a major turning point in the declining trend of COVID-19 cases and repeatedly urged compliance with preventive measures such as wearing masks. However, in some parts of the market visited that day, preventive rules were completely ignored.

According to quarantine guidelines, the '3Cs' (Closed spaces, Crowded places, Close-contact settings) should be avoided as much as possible. However, a long line was formed in front of a rice cake shop. Due to the market's narrow spaces, social distancing was virtually nonexistent.

There were even people wearing masks improperly, so-called 'mask on chin' or '턱스크' in Korean, and some customers were seen without masks at all, referred to as 'no mask' visitors.

Given this situation, citizens visiting the market expressed anxiety. A woman in her 30s said, "These days, people just buy songpyeon (rice cake) ready-made, so they flock here," adding, "I had no choice but to come out to buy side dishes, but honestly, this is a bit much."

Another man in his 30s said, "With COVID-19 and everything, it just feels uneasy," and quickly left the market.

Vendors seemed unconcerned about customers not wearing masks and focused solely on their business. A female vendor in her 50s selling rice cakes said, "Today is a big sales day. It's only like this today," adding, "Usually, sales are slow, so I'm working hard to sell to customers."

Other shops showed similar situations. Vendors, welcoming a rare busy period due to Chuseok, were focused on business, saying things like, "Please buy some rice cakes," "The side dishes are good today," and "The fruits are sweet and delicious."

Rice cakes being sold at a traditional market in Seoul on the afternoon of the previous day (September 30). There is no outdoor plastic wrapping at all, raising concerns about the spread of infectious diseases such as COVID-19 due to droplets from people. Photo by Hana Na, intern reporter skgksdk9115@asiae.co.kr

Meanwhile, besides rice cakes, Chuseok foods such as salted seafood, marinated fish, and pancakes were being sold to people lined up without packaging, placed in large boxes or containers. Everyone was packed closely together. Some citizens were without masks, raising concerns about COVID-19 infection through droplets.

If COVID-19 spreads under these circumstances, it could lead to so-called 'dark infections,' where the exact infection routes cannot be identified.

Although the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Seoul is decreasing, the proportion of cases with unknown infection routes has increased.

According to Seoul city data from last month, between September 13 and 19, there were a total of 302 confirmed cases in Seoul, averaging 43.1 cases per day. This is a 15% decrease compared to the average daily cases of 50.9 during the first week of September (6?12).

However, the number of confirmed cases with unknown infection routes is on the rise. Cases with unidentified infection routes accounted for 25.6% of total cases from September 6 to 12, increasing to 28.8% from September 13 to 19.

Park Yumi, Director of the Seoul City Citizen Health Bureau, expressed concern during an online COVID-19 briefing, stating, "Sporadic cluster infections are still occurring, and many cases with unknown infection routes are appearing."

Director Park urged, "Citizens should wear masks, wash hands, and practice social distancing in offices and shared facilities. We ask that small gatherings be avoided, and those aged 60 and over refrain from going out as much as possible."

On the 29th of last month, indoor seating operations were restricted at the Mannam Plaza rest area on the Gyeongbu Expressway heading towards Busan in Seocho-gu, Seoul during the Chuseok holiday. From that day until the 4th of next month, for a total of six days, all indoor stores at highway rest areas managed by Korea Expressway Corporation will prohibit seating operations to prevent the spread of COVID-19, allowing only takeout service. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Amid growing concerns about 'dark infections' in the market, at one mill, songpyeon rice cakes were being sorted without wearing masks, which is a basic COVID-19 prevention rule. Some people were eating with bare hands and chatting during the holiday, making it difficult to find any compliance with preventive measures.

Citizens expressed anxiety. Kim, a 40-year-old office worker, said, "COVID-19 spread significantly during the golden holiday period in April and May," adding, "I feel somewhat uneasy about this Chuseok holiday period as well. I hope everyone follows preventive measures carefully to prevent COVID-19."

Kim, a 30-year-old company employee, emphasized, "Because of the market environment, COVID-19 prevention can be ignored. For the sake of self-employed and small business owners, we must wear masks and avoid causing harm to others."

Health authorities stressed the importance of following COVID-19 prevention rules, warning that confirmed cases could rise again during the Chuseok holiday period.

Yoon Tae-ho, Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters' Quarantine Division (Public Health Policy Officer at the Ministry of Health and Welfare), said at a regular briefing on September 30, "We place significance on the fact that the number of cases peaked at the end of August and has been declining since, and we will do our best to maintain this downward trend. The biggest turning point in this decline is the Chuseok holiday period."

He continued, "If we fail to properly control the situation during the Chuseok holiday, there is a possibility that the number of confirmed cases will surge again a few days after the holiday ends," urging, "Please strictly follow quarantine rules and, if possible, rest at home," repeatedly emphasizing the importance of adhering to COVID-19 prevention measures during the Chuseok holiday.

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