Health Authorities: "Severe Crisis in the Seoul Metropolitan Area"
7 Groups Intend to Proceed with Liberation Day Rally
210,000 People Head to Jeju Island During Liberation Day Holiday... Emergency in Quarantine Measures
A notice restricting access was posted on the afternoon of the 13th at Woori Jeil Church in Bojeong-dong, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, where a cluster infection of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) occurred. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] As the spread of COVID-19 cluster infections continues unabated, mainly in the metropolitan area, large-scale rallies are scheduled across downtown Seoul, coinciding with the holiday period, causing health authorities to be on high alert. The authorities are even considering raising the current 'social distancing' level from 1 to 2 and are closely monitoring the situation.
On the 13th, Kwon Junwook, Deputy Director of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH), said, "Considering the sporadic domestic spread of COVID-19 as of mid-August, we are effectively in a crisis now," adding, "The current epidemic situation is more concerning than the surge in cases centered around the Itaewon clubs in May and the spread linked to door-to-door sales and metropolitan pioneering churches in June."
He continued, "If the situation is further amplified through large-scale rallies combined with travel and small gatherings over the three-day weekend during the vacation period, it could lead to a situation that is truly difficult to control," and said, "If the situation continues to worsen, we may have no choice but to restrict some daily activities again. There is also a sense of crisis that raising the social distancing level may be inevitable."
This statement appears to stem from concerns that the recent daily new confirmed cases, which have remained in the 50s for two consecutive days, combined with the large-scale rallies planned for this weekend and the Liberation Day holiday, could trigger sporadic cluster infections.
Seoul City announced on the 12th that it will not allow gatherings on Liberation Day to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). [Image source=Yonhap News]
Citizens are also worried about the large-scale rallies taking place across downtown Seoul. Due to the nature of the Liberation Day rallies, many participants from across the country are expected to gather, raising concerns about regional spread.
Office worker Kim (27) said, "Even if the rallies are held outdoors, isn't it likely that people will be densely packed?" and pointed out, "The possibility of COVID-19 infection cannot be ignored. Who at the rally site would practice social distancing?"
He added, "The number of COVID-19 confirmed cases is rising again. A small lapse in vigilance could lead to a resurgence of COVID-19," and said, "I hope rallies are refrained from until the situation is resolved."
Initially, the Seoul Metropolitan Government issued an administrative order banning rallies for 26 groups that had announced rallies of about 220,000 people, based on Article 49 of the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act.
However, seven groups, including the 4.15 Fraud Election National Struggle Headquarters, are still determined to proceed with the rallies. They argue that the authorities are trampling on fundamental rights under the pretext of COVID-19 without consistent standards.
With the rallies followed by the Liberation Day holiday, the sense of crisis seems to be escalating. In particular, since air travel is restricted due to COVID-19, there is a high possibility that tourists will flock to major domestic tourist destinations such as Jeju Island. The Jeju Tourism Association and others expect about 213,000 tourists to visit Jeju Island over five days from the 13th to the 17th.
This estimate exceeds the number of tourists during the 'golden holiday' period when COVID-19 was spreading. During the period from April 29 to May 5, when COVID-19 was spreading, the number of tourists visiting Jeju was tentatively counted at 196,138.
As concerns about infection grow, tourists have expressed their intention to comply with minimum quarantine rules, such as wearing masks.
Office worker Lee (28) said, "I planned a trip to Jeju Island for the holiday, but I am worried because the number of confirmed cases is rising again," adding, "Rather than visiting major tourist spots, I will focus on less crowded places." He also said, "No matter how hot the weather is, I plan to wear a mask."
Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun is speaking while presiding over the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting on COVID-19 response at the Government Complex Sejong in Sejong City on the morning of the 14th. [Photo by Yonhap News]
Experts also advised that COVID-19 is likely to spread again after the weekend and emphasized the need to comply with quarantine rules.
Professor Eom Jung-sik, an infectious disease specialist at Gachon University Gil Medical Center, said, "There is a high possibility that COVID-19 will spread after the weekend. The government should decide whether to raise the distancing level based on the weekend trend," but added, "However, it is not appropriate to raise the 'social distancing' level based solely on the number of confirmed cases yesterday or the day before. When adjusting the distancing level, factors such as the number of confirmed cases should be considered."
The government also stated that if the situation worsens further, it will raise social distancing to level 2.
Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting on the 14th, "If the situation worsens, we cannot rule out the possibility of raising social distancing to level 2 for the metropolitan area," adding, "The spread of domestic (COVID-19) infections, which had been somewhat stable, is now serious. Especially with the upcoming three-day holiday (15th to 17th), concerns are greater."
Regarding the moves by some groups to proceed with rallies tomorrow, Liberation Day, Prime Minister Chung said, "While the freedom of assembly must be respected, in the severe COVID-19 situation, we cannot ignore prioritizing the safety and health of the people," and called for strict measures by the Seoul Metropolitan Government.
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