"Please Do Not Come" ... Changwon City Fully Restricts Visitors to Jinhae Gunhangje Festival

▲A banner stating 'Completely Closed' has been installed at the entrance of Gyeonghwa Station, a cherry blossom hotspot in Jinhae, Changwon City (Photo by Changwon City Hall)

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kang Sharon] As the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) prolongs, Changwon City, which abruptly canceled the Jinhae Gunhangje Festival scheduled for the 27th, is taking strong measures to control visitors ahead of the full bloom of cherry blossoms this time.

This is based on the judgment that if suspected COVID-19 patients visit Jinhae, a mass infection could occur, leading to an uncontrollable situation.

On the 23rd, Changwon City announced that it is focusing administrative efforts by requesting visitors to refrain from visiting through various media outlets and hanging banners throughout the streets informing about the festival cancellation and urging visitors to refrain from coming.

Jinhae Gyeonghwa Station, a world-famous cherry blossom spot, has been completely closed from this day, and Yeojuacheon will also close its deck road starting from the 24th.

In particular, full control will be implemented on places expected to attract crowds, such as the stream lined with Jinhae cherry blossoms, the Jinhae Inland Fisheries Research Institute surrounded like a folding screen, and Jehwangsan Park.

Heo Seong-mu, Mayor of Changwon City, said, "Considering the seriousness of the COVID-19 infectious disease situation, which is escalating into a global crisis, I earnestly ask all spring visitors nationwide to refrain from visiting the Jinhae area this spring once again."