Unreliable Temperature Measurement Despite Increased Movement as Weather Warms

Meteorite Check Only in Department Store Parking Lot
Repeated Errors and Performance Controversy in Temperature Measurement
Concerns Over 4th Wave Amid Increased Gatherings

On the 11th, when the daytime temperature in Seoul exceeded 15 degrees Celsius, showing warm spring weather, citizens are enjoying outings at Yeouido Hangang Park in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporters Donghoon Jeong and Byungdon Yoo] Last weekend at a department store in Guro-gu, Seoul. Visitors' temperatures were being measured at the entrance to the underground parking lot, but only those seated in the driver's seat were targeted. Temperature checks were not conducted for those sitting in the passenger or back seats.

The thermometers used vary widely by establishment without any standardized specifications. On cold days, it is common for temperatures to be measured abnormally low. Especially in outdoor sports facilities, since temperature checks are conducted outside, on cold days temperatures can be recorded as low as between 30 and 35 degrees Celsius.

There has also been controversy over the facial recognition thermometers installed in government offices and other places, with doubts about whether their performance has been properly verified. Given this situation, there are criticisms that the accuracy of temperature measurement devices cannot be trusted, and that fever detection is effectively not being properly conducted.

An employee at a department store said, "They let people in as long as their temperature isn't high, so I wonder what the point is," adding, "Sometimes errors occur and temperatures are measured low, so even if someone actually has a fever, their temperature might show as normal."

With quarantine vigilance relaxed, citizens' movement and face-to-face contact are increasing due to spring outings and gatherings. On the 12th and 13th alone, 32,281 and 30,870 people respectively, totaling 63,151, visited Jeju. Despite requests to refrain from visiting places like Sansuyu Village in Gurye, Jeollanam-do, and Maehwa Village in Gwangyang, where festivals were canceled due to COVID-19 spread concerns, spring visitors flocked, causing long lines of cars searching for parking spaces.

Concerns about a fourth wave of COVID-19 are also emerging due to relaxed quarantine vigilance and eased social distancing measures. Professor Eunmi Cheon of the Respiratory Medicine Department at Ewha Mokdong Hospital advised, "It is estimated that over 80% of COVID-19 infections are asymptomatic, so we cannot be certain how much it has spread in the community," adding, "During meal gatherings, it is necessary to minimize talking and wear masks when conversing, maintaining strict personal quarantine measures."

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