Last-Minute Deliberation on Allowing Family Gatherings During Chuseok Holiday

Nearly 1,500 Confirmed Cases Even on Holidays
Strong Consideration for Social Distancing Extension Until the 3rd of Next Month

On the 29th, when 1,619 new COVID-19 cases were reported and the 4th wave continues, the area near Hongdaeipgu Station in Mapo-gu, Seoul, is crowded with citizens visiting the area. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] Despite the holiday, the number of new COVID-19 cases approached 1,500. As the nationwide spread shows no signs of slowing, there is growing likelihood that the 'social distancing' measures announced on the 3rd of next month will be extended once again. Regarding the special quarantine measures for the Chuseok holiday to be announced together, the government is deliberating until the last moment over partially allowing family gatherings.

The Central Disease Control Headquarters reported that as of midnight on the 30th, there were 1,487 new domestic COVID-19 cases, bringing the total to 250,051. Of these, 1,426 were domestic transmissions and 61 were imported cases. Among the 1,426 domestic cases, 901 (63.2%) were in the Seoul metropolitan area, and 525 (36.8%) were in non-metropolitan areas. In Seoul, the number of new COVID-19 cases reached 436, marking the highest ever for a Sunday.

Although the vacation season has effectively ended, the number increased by 70 compared to a week earlier on the 23rd (1,417 cases), raising concerns that the scale of infections during the weekdays may grow. In particular, with the highly transmissible Delta variant spreading rapidly and various movements becoming active ahead of the Chuseok holiday, the number of confirmed cases may continue to rise in September.

The government will announce adjustments to social distancing and special quarantine measures for the Chuseok holiday together on the 3rd of next month. The Chuseok quarantine measures are expected to include standards for allowing family gatherings and visits to nursing hospitals and nursing facilities. The current social distancing levels (Level 4 in the metropolitan area, Level 3 in non-metropolitan areas) are set to end this Sunday (September 5), but with the spread not under control, an extension is highly likely.

Earlier, the government announced that train tickets for this year's Chuseok holiday (September 17?22) will be sold starting with window seats first, considering the quarantine situation. For Chuseok holiday ticket reservations, Korail will conduct sales for three days starting on the 31st of this month, and SR will conduct sales for three days starting on the 7th of next month.

Son Young-rae, head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Accident Response Headquarters, said, "Although the scale of the outbreak has not decreased, considering the increasing vaccination rate, we are carefully reviewing whether to partially allow family meetings during the Chuseok holiday period," adding, "We plan to observe the current outbreak situation further before making a decision."

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