This Year's Lunar New Year Holiday: Being a Dutiful Child Means Not Visiting Hometown

Maintaining High-Intensity Quarantine Measures Until the End of the Holiday
Government "Careful Review of Additional Easing After One Week"

On the 29th, the COVID-19 screening clinic at the National Medical Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, is quieter than usual. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] Following last year's Chuseok holiday, it has become difficult to visit hometowns during this Lunar New Year holiday as well. This is due to the government's decision to extend the current high-level quarantine measures, including social distancing and the ban on private gatherings of five or more people, until the end of the Lunar New Year holiday amid the recent resurgence of COVID-19 cases. The government has stated that if a clear stabilization is observed this week, it will consider easing additional quarantine measures, but the possibility remains slim at present.

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters decided on the 31st of last month to extend the current social distancing measures (Level 2.5 in the metropolitan area, Level 2 in non-metropolitan areas) and the ban on private gatherings of five or more people for two weeks until the 14th, when the Lunar New Year holiday ends. Accordingly, even immediate family members living in different residences will not be allowed to gather in groups of five or more during the holiday. At the same time, special quarantine measures for the Lunar New Year holiday, including a ban on indoor dining at highway rest stops, will be implemented as planned. Restrictions on the operation of restaurants and cafes after 9 p.m. will also be maintained.

The government has added a caveat that it will review the social distancing levels, gathering bans, and operational restrictions after observing the trend of new cases and infection patterns for one week. Considering the recent increase in the average daily domestic cases to 418 during the week of January 25?31, partly due to the cluster infections originating from the IM Mission, the government decided on a fourth extension. However, it must also take into account the difficulties faced by small business owners due to prolonged distancing and the public's fatigue. Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun left room for flexibility by stating, "If we observe the situation this week and gain confidence that a clear stabilization has been achieved, we will carefully consider easing additional quarantine measures even before the Lunar New Year holiday."

However, the possibility of this Lunar New Year being a 'stay-at-home holiday' seems high. Currently, cluster infections continue in various places, making a rapid decline unlikely. Moreover, the government is showing a firm stance on maintaining the special measures, such as the ban on private gatherings of five or more people that restrict visits to hometowns, without adjustment for two weeks.

Looking at the trend of confirmed cases last week (January 24?30), the proportion of cases with unknown infection routes remains high at 21.4%. The proportion of cases managed within the quarantine network (the percentage of new confirmed cases detected while in self-quarantine) has decreased to 37%, leading to assessments that the quarantine authorities' control has weakened. There are particular concerns that COVID-19 could rapidly spread nationwide again during the Lunar New Year holiday, when large-scale population movement is expected, making vigilance essential.

Professor Chun Eun-mi of the Respiratory Medicine Department at Ewha Mokdong Hospital said, "Considering the recent trend of patient occurrences, a situation similar to the current one is expected to continue even after a week," adding, "Even if the current level of quarantine measures is maintained, an increase in movement during the Lunar New Year holiday could lead to a further rise in confirmed cases, so caution is necessary."

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