"Mom, I'm Sorry, I'm Going on 'Chukangseu'" Chuseok Golden Holiday, Concerns Over COVID Spread

People Flock for 'Chukangseu' Despite Warnings to Refrain from Returning Home... Quarantine Emergency
Local Governments Establish Special Quarantine Measures for 'Chukangseu'
Some Citizens Express Concerns, "Isn't This Causing COVID Spread?"

On the morning of May 3rd, Jeju International Airport was bustling with tourists visiting Jeju and those finishing their trips and returning home. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] "I’m planning to visit nearby tourist spots or go camping," "My hometown is too far, so I’m thinking of traveling to nearby areas..."

Despite the government urging people to refrain from visiting their hometowns during the Chuseok holiday due to the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), a surge of 'Chukangseu-jok' (a newly coined term combining Chuseok and vacation) who want to enjoy leisure time at hotels during the longest 5-day golden holiday is raising concerns about a possible resurgence of COVID-19.

Resort A, which operates hotels and resorts in eight locations nationwide, has already fully booked reservations from the 30th to October 3rd. Additionally, the reservation rate for 5-star hotels in Jeju Island is averaging between 70% and 80%.

Major resorts located in key tourist spots along the west coast of Chungnam Province are also showing a 100% reservation rate, reflecting a situation similar to this time of year in previous years. However, depending on location and size, some rooms remain available, leading to expectations that crowds will gather depending on the travel destination during the Chuseok holiday.

However, the phenomenon of hotel bookings being fully closed around specific travel destinations is appearing in various places, fueling ongoing concerns that COVID-19 might spread again during the Chuseok holiday period.

For luxury hotels in Jeju, Hotel B and Hotel C currently show room reservation rates of 70-80% from the 30th to the 4th of next month. The hotel industry expects that by next week (September 21-27), rooms in luxury hotels will be fully booked.

On April 29, just before the golden holiday, the domestic terminal at Gimpo Airport was crowded with passengers. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Kim, a company employee in his 30s who said he plans to travel during Chuseok for 'Chukangseu,' stated, "I can’t just stay home without going to my hometown during Chuseok," adding, "I’m thinking of going to a nearby area to get some fresh air." He also said, "I’m worried about COVID-19, but I plan to wear a mask properly."

Lee, a company employee in his 40s with two elementary school children, said, "There is a request to refrain from traveling, but I plan to take a short trip to a nearby place," emphasizing, "I will be very careful to follow quarantine rules and prevent COVID-19."

The problem is that when people gather all at once, COVID-19 can spread. During the golden holidays at the end of April and mid-August, COVID-19 cases surged dramatically.

Kim, a job seeker in his 20s, criticized, "The government’s policy is to stay home during the holidays, but those who go on trips or so-called 'Chukangseu' seem to be thinking only about themselves."

Park, a company employee in his 40s, expressed concern, saying, "They told us not to go to our hometowns, but they just go on trips and hang out," adding, "I’m a bit worried that COVID-19 might spread again."

In response to the potential influx of travelers during the golden holiday period including 'Chukangseu,' local governments have taken measures against COVID-19. Gangneung City in Gangwon Province announced on the 19th that it has prepared special quarantine measures to prevent the resurgence of COVID-19 during the Chuseok holiday. The city plans to form an emergency quarantine task force to respond to COVID-19, anticipating an increase in visitors spending 'Chukangseu' on the East Coast during the holiday.

Additionally, until the 11th of next month, a hygiene business guidance and inspection team consisting of 54 public officials will focus on checking compliance with quarantine rules at 5,960 high-risk and multi-use facilities.

Safety management controllers will be deployed at 11 ports and harbors including Gangneung Port and Jumunjin Port to inspect facilities, and access will be controlled if abnormal weather occurs at sea.

On April 29, ahead of the golden holiday weekend, the domestic terminal at Gimpo Airport was bustling with passengers.

The government is repeatedly recommending refraining from travel during the upcoming Chuseok holiday. Jung Eun-kyung, head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, said at a regular briefing on the 17th, "Because the large-scale movement during the holiday could spread COVID-19 nationwide, please refrain from returning to hometowns and traveling as much as possible during this holiday and consider it a quarantine period to break the chain of COVID-19 transmission."

Kang Do-tae, the first chief coordinator of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Vice Minister of Health and Welfare), stated during the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting held at the Government Seoul Office on the 19th, "Although the number of daily confirmed cases is decreasing, the decline is slow," adding, "The metropolitan area still maintains a high level, accounting for about 75% of total confirmed cases."

He continued, "According to media reports, reservations for accommodations in major tourist destinations including Gangwon Province and Jeju Island are increasing, but contact in crowded tourist spots can increase the risk of infection transmission," urging, "Please refrain from visiting hometowns and traveling as much as possible so that this Chuseok does not become a catalyst for infection spread."