Government: "If the outbreak worsens around Chuseok, adjusting quarantine measures will be difficult... Please hold gatherings mainly with fully vaccinated individuals"

On October 4th, the last day of the Chuseok holiday last year, returning travelers are getting off the train at Seoul Station and heading home. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] Health authorities have once again urged the public to refrain from large-scale travel ahead of the upcoming Chuseok holiday next week. As COVID-19 vaccinations continue, the achievement of the pre-Chuseok first-dose vaccination rate target of 70% is becoming visible, but there are concerns that the effects of this progress might be wasted.

On the morning of the 13th, Son Young-rae, head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, said during the COVID-19 back briefing, "Starting from Chuseok, the force driving the spread of the virus will surpass the force suppressing it. If the spread intensifies mainly among the elderly who have not been vaccinated, leading to an increase in the fatality rate and further transmission, it will become difficult to adjust quarantine measures in a way that harmonizes with daily life."

He added, "The situation in the metropolitan area is still unstable with a large scale of infections gradually spreading, so we are concerned about the aftermath following the Chuseok holiday travel. If elderly parents have not completed their vaccinations, we strongly recommend refraining from visiting them this Chuseok as well."

Regarding the allowance during the Chuseok holiday for gatherings of up to eight people in level 4 areas, provided that at least four are fully vaccinated, he also urged that gatherings be held preferably among fully vaccinated individuals. He said, "When many vaccinated and unvaccinated people mix in large groups, especially since families come from various regions, the risk of infection increases. We once again strongly ask that people travel home and meet in small groups consisting of fully vaccinated individuals."

Health authorities currently expect that the first-dose vaccination rate target of 70% set before Chuseok will be achieved within this week as vaccinations continue to expand. With the increase in vaccinated individuals, the effects such as blocking transmission, reducing fatality rates, and decreasing severe cases are predicted to become prominent around mid to late September.

However, there are concerns that if the scale of the outbreak grows uncontrollably due to increased travel during Chuseok, the 'gradual recovery to daily life' currently expected after November could become difficult.

Regarding this, Son said, "The ideal situation is to manage travel during Chuseok as well as possible to prevent a surge in cases, while the effects of vaccination become fully effective, stabilizing the spread and allowing us to consider adjusting quarantine measures."

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