"Club Open but Hiking Discouraged?" Confusing Quarantine Measures Leave Citizens 'Bewildered'

Government Lowers Nationwide Social Distancing to Level 1 from the 12th
Jung Eun-kyung: "3Cs, Autumn Hiking, Cold Weather Are the Three Major Threats to Quarantine"
Second Day of Level 1 Social Distancing... 102 New Confirmed Cases

In March, citizens wearing masks are climbing Gwanaksan Mountain in Seoul. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] While the government has lowered social distancing from level 2 to level 1, health authorities are recommending restraint in certain outdoor activities, causing confusion among citizens.

With this easing measure, high-risk facilities including clubs and room salons, among other entertainment establishments, are now allowed to operate, but health authorities are advising against specific outdoor activities such as autumn hiking, highlighting a discord among government departments in responding to COVID-19. Experts expressed concern that this was a premature decision made before the incubation period during the holiday season had fully ended.

On the 12th, health authorities urged vigilance, stating that "another test of quarantine measures has begun" following the nationwide adjustment of social distancing to level 1.

In particular, health authorities identified the following as risk factors that could trigger a COVID-19 outbreak under the current circumstances: ▲ close contact, crowded places, and enclosed spaces?known as the "3Cs" environment ▲ group travel and events such as autumn hiking ▲ environmental changes including temperature and humidity.

Jung Eun-kyung, head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, said at a regular briefing, "COVID-19 infection can spread in any facility or location if it is a 3Cs environment?an enclosed space with poor ventilation, close contact, and crowding?and urged compliance with quarantine rules."

She added, "Transmission through group bus travel, meals, and after-parties following trips is also risky," emphasizing, "Please travel safely with your family unit whenever possible."

There are criticisms that such guidelines from health authorities are causing further confusion among citizens. It is seen as contradictory to recommend refraining from travel and events like autumn hiking less than a day after the government lowered social distancing levels.

Office worker Kim (27) said, "With the easing of distancing, clubs and karaoke rooms have all reopened, right? But suddenly saying that outdoor activities like hiking are dangerous seems inconsistent. Aren't clubs, where there is more physical contact, more dangerous than outdoor activities?"

He continued, "Since social distancing has already been lowered to level 1, students have returned to school and office workers have started going to work. How can we avoid the '3Cs' environment in this situation?"

Previously, the government eased social distancing from level 2 to level 1 considering public fatigue from prolonged level 2 measures and the impact on the economy. However, in the metropolitan area, core quarantine rules remain mandatory in multi-use facilities, effectively applying a level 1.5.

In May, at a club in Seomyeon, Busanjin-gu, a message stating that social distancing is being maintained was displayed, but some clubbers were dancing closely together. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Some voices are calling for consistent quarantine measures and suggest raising social distancing back to level 2.

Another office worker Lee (27) said, "As distancing switched to level 1, acquaintances have already started making meeting plans, and students are attending school. I don't think the guideline to avoid enclosed spaces will be followed. If that's the case, it would have been better to keep level 2."

Especially on the second day after switching to social distancing level 1, the number of new COVID-19 cases exceeded 100 for the first time in six days on the 13th, intensifying criticism of the easing measures. The Central Disease Control Headquarters announced that as of midnight, 102 new cases were confirmed, bringing the total to 24,805.

Posts criticizing the easing measures have also appeared on the Blue House's public petition board. On the petition discussion board on the 12th, one post stated, "It's only been just over a week since the Chuseok holiday ended, so how can social distancing be at level 1? I understand that maintaining level 2 is hard for many, but I don't understand why it was lowered to level 1."

Experts pointed out that easing measures during the holiday period before the incubation period ended was a premature decision.

Professor Kim Woo-joo, an infectious disease specialist at Korea University Guro Hospital, explained, "The current decrease in confirmed cases may be due to a reduction in the number of tests conducted," adding, "Accurate testing has not been possible as holidays like Chuseok and Hangul Day have continued."

He continued, "Even with a small number of tests, the cases are not controlled below 50, and the COVID-19 incubation period has not fully passed," warning, "Therefore, there is a high possibility of misjudgment."

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