Seoul City Crematorium and Byeokje-ri Cemetery Implement Vehicle 2-Day License Plate Restriction During Chuseok Holiday

Following Goyang City administrative order, vehicle odd-even license plate system enforced from September 30 to October 4... Indoor columbarium, ritual rooms closed on holidays until October 18... Request to refrain from ancestral visits to prevent COVID-19

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] The Seoul Facilities Corporation (Chairman Jo Seong-il) will implement a two-day vehicle operation system at the Seoul Municipal Crematorium and Byeokje-ri Cemetery facilities located in Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) during the Chuseok holiday period.

This measure follows the administrative order issued by Goyang-si mandating quarantine rules for funeral facilities located in Goyang-si during the Chuseok holiday period.

With the administrative order in effect in Goyang-si, violations of the two-day vehicle operation system may result in prosecution (a fine of up to 3 million KRW), and all quarantine costs related to testing, investigation, and treatment arising from violations may be claimed for reimbursement.

The two-day vehicle operation system will be in effect from the 30th of this month, when the Chuseok holiday begins, until October 4, operating on odd and even days. On odd days, only vehicles with odd-numbered plates are allowed to operate, and on even days, only vehicles with even-numbered plates may operate. The corporation plans to monitor and control violating vehicles at the entrances to the cemetery and columbarium.

The Seoul Facilities Corporation urges citizens to refrain from visiting the Seoul municipal funeral facilities during the Chuseok holiday period to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The Seoul Facilities Corporation operates 16 funeral facilities, including the Seoul Municipal Crematorium in Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, Yongmi 1-2 Cemetery in Paju-si, and Byeokje Municipal Cemetery in Goyang-si. During the 2019 Chuseok holiday period, a total of 110,000 visitors gathered at these 16 funeral facilities.

To prevent the spread of COVID-19, the corporation plans to implement high-intensity special quarantine measures during holidays from September 19 to October 18, including closing indoor columbariums at five Seoul municipal cemeteries, suspending free shuttle bus services during the Chuseok holiday, closing ceremonial rooms and rest areas, and prohibiting food consumption.