Despite the ongoing resurgence... Growing number of 'Neukkangseok' due to pre-entry PCR test abolition

3.5 out of 10 People "Plan Vacation After September"
Concerns Over COVID-19 Spread... Daily Cases Remain in the 80,000s for Two Consecutive Days

On the 30th of last month, the COVID-19 testing center exclusively for arrivals at Terminal 1 of Incheon International Airport on Yeongjongdo Island was crowded with overseas arrivals. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] The demand for so-called 'neutgangseu' (late vacation) to enjoy holidays while avoiding peak seasons is increasing. However, there are concerns that the resurgence of COVID-19 could worsen due to increased travel and movement.

According to a recent 'Summer Vacation Trends' survey conducted by travel portal Modetour on 2,920 people aged 25 to 45, 35% of respondents said they planned to take their vacation after September. Those who had already traveled or planned to travel in August accounted for 41.5%.

In particular, overseas travel demand surged significantly after the government announced on the 31st of last month the abolition of the requirement to submit a negative COVID-19 test result before entry. From midnight on the 3rd, all domestic and foreign nationals arriving in Korea will no longer need to submit a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate. According to travel agency Chamjoeun Travel on the 1st, the number of overseas travel reservations made in one day reached 2,234 the previous day. This is a 40% increase compared to August 24 (1,599), a week earlier, and even exceeds the 2,200 reservations recorded on August 28, 2019, before the COVID-19 outbreak.

It is analyzed that the demand that had postponed travel due to cumbersome procedures such as PCR submission has surged all at once. Additionally, with the upcoming Chuseok holidays this month and consecutive holidays such as National Foundation Day (October 3) and the substitute holiday for Hangul Day (October 10) next month, more people are planning trips during this period.

The travel industry is buzzing with anticipation. Chamjoeun Travel stated in a press release on the 31st of last month, "With this government measure, the last obstacle to industry normalization has been removed," and "We actively welcome the government's decision to abolish pre-entry testing." Norangpungseon also described the decision to abolish pre-entry testing as "a rare piece of good news, like rain during a drought" for the travel industry.

On the morning of the 21st of last month, citizens visiting the screening clinic at Songpa-gu Public Health Center in Seoul are waiting for their turn to be tested. [Image source=Yonhap News]

However, there are also concerns about the spread of COVID-19 due to increased travel. During last month’s summer vacation season, nationwide movement increased, leading to a rise in the weekly COVID-19 risk level in non-metropolitan areas. According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters on the 9th of last month, the risk level in non-metropolitan areas was upgraded from 'medium' to 'high.'

Although the peak of the summer surge predicted by health authorities has passed, daily confirmed cases have remained in the 80,000 range for two consecutive days. According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters, as of midnight on the 2nd, there were 89,586 new COVID-19 cases.

The number of critically ill COVID-19 patients has also remained in the 500s for 10 consecutive days. The average daily number of critically ill patients over the past week (August 27 to September 2) was 569, an increase of 27 from the previous week’s average of 542 (August 20 to 26).

Meanwhile, health authorities plan to operate nationwide temporary screening clinics normally during the Chuseok holiday according to quarantine and medical response strategies, and to ensure essential operation of one-stop medical institutions by region and day of the week to provide uninterrupted patient care. Emergency contact networks and urgent transport systems will also be maintained to ensure golden time treatment for emergency and special patients.

Kim Seong-ho, the 2nd Chief Coordinator of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, said, "To safely celebrate the Chuseok holiday without social distancing for the first time in three years, please keep visits to hometowns or travel destinations small and brief," and added, "Please also strictly adhere to personal quarantine rules."

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