Spring outing visitors were blocked... Could apartment park visitors become a hidden COVID-19 risk?

Spring Flower Festivals Canceled One After Another... Visitors Restricted
Sunny Weather Continues, Parks Near Apartments and Residential Areas Crowded
Are Park Outings Another Variable in COVID-19?
Government Urges "Avoid Outings Involving Close Contact"

On the 24th of last month, when the daytime temperature in Seoul rose to 19 degrees Celsius, bringing fully spring-like weather, citizens were strolling under the plum blossom trees near Yeouido Hangang Park in Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] Apartment and residential area parks are emerging as another transmission hotspot for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

While spring flower festivals have been canceled one after another to prevent visitors from entering, it is impossible to completely control access to parks near apartments for residents.

Especially these days, with the continued sunny weather, concerns about infection are growing as people who cannot attend spring flower festivals flock to parks.

Earlier, Changwon City canceled the 'Jinhae Gunhangje' (Gunhangje), one of Korea's representative cherry blossom festivals, for the first time in 57 years due to COVID-19 infection concerns. The Gunhangje was scheduled to be held from the 27th of last month to the 6th of this month.

In Seoul, several places where cherry blossom festivals are held, such as Yeouido, Seokchon Lake, and Yangjaecheon, also decided to cancel their spring flower festivals.

The problem lies with parks near apartments and residential areas. Although crowds do not gather at the level of spring flower festivals, the number of visitors, including families, has sharply increased as the spring weather continues and the weekend arrives.

As the government urged for strict social distancing measures to overcome the novel coronavirus infection, Yeouido Hangang Park in Seoul was crowded with visitors on the 29th of last month. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

In one park in Seoul, as of 9 a.m. on the 4th, it was crowded with people enjoying the spring atmosphere. Some groups of three to five people, including families and friends, spread out mats and had meals.

A man in his 70s met at the park that day said, "I felt restless staying at home, and since it's spring, I came out to get some fresh air." He added, "It's not a spring flower festival, just the park in front of my house, so I don't know if it's a problem."

A 40-year-old office worker A, who visited the park with his family, said, "We came to the park with family for the weekend," adding, "Since there aren't many people like in Yeouido, I don't think it will be a problem." However, he added, "Still, just in case, I don't plan to stay in the park for a long time."

On that day, street vendors selling food to visitors were easily seen in one corner of the park. Neither the buyers nor the sellers were wearing masks.

Such behavior is highly likely to violate the social distancing guidelines recommended by health authorities.

According to personal preventive measures against COVID-19, people should △ refrain from gatherings and outings, △ minimize contact between people, and △ avoid places where many people gather in enclosed spaces or religious events. This is why social distancing is urgently needed not only at spring flower festivals but also in parks near apartments and residential areas.

Meanwhile, the government decided to extend social distancing. On the 4th, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH), chaired by Jeong Sye-kyun (Prime Minister), held a video conference at the Government Seoul Office with central ministries and 17 cities and provinces to discuss and decide on the extension of social distancing.

Park Neung-hoo, the first deputy head of CDSCH, explained at a regular briefing, "The government judges that the current situation is still serious," adding, "We have no choice but to extend strong social distancing."

Jeong Eun-kyeong, head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, held a briefing on the 3rd at the Disease Control Headquarters in Cheongju, Chungbuk, urging, "On the weekend, please stay at home as much as possible and refrain from activities and outings that may involve close contact in enclosed spaces," and "Please follow personal hygiene rules such as handwashing and cough etiquette."