Increased Movement in Spring Weather... "20%↑ Compared to Shincheonji Cluster Infection" (Update)

On the 5th, the cherry blossom path along Yunjung-ro behind the National Assembly building in Yeouido, Seoul, is completely closed to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Despite strengthened social distancing measures to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), the amount of public movement increased over the past weekend.

Kim Kang-lip, the 1st General Coordinator of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Vice Minister of Health and Welfare), said at a regular briefing held at the Government Sejong Complex on the 6th, "The amount of public movement decreased most significantly to about 40% compared to January 9-22 at the end of February when the Shincheonji infection occurred, but then increased by about 16 percentage points again during the strengthened social distancing period from the 23rd to the 29th of last month." He added, "It increased by another 4 percentage points last weekend, which corresponds to an increase of 200,000 people. This is about a 20% increase compared to the end of February."

Coordinator Kim said, "As more people feel fatigued from continued social distancing, public participation, which had been strongly urged over the past two weeks, has rather weakened." He added, "It is regrettable because if our society had participated more actively in social distancing, much better results could have been achieved."

In particular, the floating population in commercial districts and recreational areas in Seoul increased significantly. Coordinator Kim stated, "As of 2 p.m. the previous day, the floating population in Seoul's commercial districts, such as Myeongdong, Gangnam Station, and Hongdae, which are popular among young people, increased significantly compared to 11 a.m." He added, "By 4 p.m., visitors to flower viewing areas near Yeouido, the Han River, and Namsan surged compared to 2 p.m."

The government reiterated that social distancing is effective in blocking the spread of infection. Vice Minister Kim said, "Since the implementation of strengthened social distancing, the proportion of confirmed cases with unknown infection routes has decreased from 19.8% to 6.1%." He added, "However, despite these effects, with the arrival of warm spring weather, individual or family outings and movement have increased."