"Please Wear a Mask" Chuseok Holiday, Crowded 'No Mask'... Market-Origin COVID Concerns [Report]

People Visiting a Traditional Market in Seoul Enjoy the Holiday 'No Mask'
Some Merchants Sell Without Outdoor Plastic Wrapping
Concerns Over Market-Originated COVID Spread Due to Droplets from Customers
Health Authorities: "The Biggest Turning Point in the Decline Trend During Chuseok Holiday"

On the afternoon of the 30th, people were lining up to buy rice cakes at a traditional market in Seoul. Some were not wearing masks at all and were standing very close to others, raising concerns that the novel coronavirus infection might spread again through markets and similar places. The government emphasized that the Chuseok holiday period could be a turning point for COVID-19 and repeatedly urged compliance with quarantine guidelines. Photo by Hana Na, intern reporter skgksdk9115@asiae.co.kr

[Asia Economy reporters Han Seung-gon and Na Han-ah] "It feels too cramped and a bit unsettling." , "It's a market, so it can't be helped."

On the afternoon of the 30th, a traditional market in Seoul was bustling with citizens lining up to buy Chuseok holiday foods such as rice cakes, vegetables, and fruits. The festive atmosphere was visible everywhere, with families and relatives meeting after a long time, holding hands in small groups as they browsed the market.

The problem is that COVID-19 prevention guidelines were not properly followed, raising concerns that the market could become a source of COVID-19 spread. The government emphasized that the Chuseok holiday period could be a major turning point in the declining trend of COVID-19 and repeatedly urged compliance with preventive measures such as wearing masks.

According to the COVID-19 prevention guidelines from health authorities, the "3Cs" (closed spaces, crowded places, close-contact settings) should be avoided as much as possible. However, on this day, people buying food were seen packed closely together throughout the market.

A woman in her 50s selling rice cakes to customers said, "Today is the peak season. It's only like this today," adding, "Usually, sales are slow, so I'm working hard to sell to customers."

Other shops had similar situations. Everyone was trying to attract customers by saying things like, "Please buy some rice cakes," "Today's side dishes came out well," and "The fruits are sweet and delicious," as it was the long-awaited Chuseok peak season.

However, some were seen not properly following hygiene rules, increasing anxiety that the market might become a link in the chain of COVID-19 spread.

Rice cakes being sold at a traditional market in Seoul on the afternoon of the 30th. There is no outdoor plastic packaging at all, raising concerns about the spread of infectious diseases such as COVID-19 due to droplets from people. Photo by Nahana Intern Reporter skgksdk9115@asiae.co.kr

In fact, at one market, many rice cakes were displayed and sold without any outdoor plastic wrapping. The droplets from passersby could potentially spread not only COVID-19 but also other infectious diseases.

Besides rice cakes, salted seafood, marinated dishes, pancakes, and other Chuseok foods were sold in large boxes or containers without packaging to people waiting in line. If droplets from others had contaminated these foods, it could lead to so-called "dark infections," where the infection route is unknown.

Meanwhile, at a mill, workers were sorting freshly made songpyeon (rice cakes) without wearing masks, which is a basic COVID-19 prevention rule.

Also, rice cake shops and various side dish stores offered samples to customers. Some people were eating with bare hands, and others were seen wearing masks pulled down to their chins, known as "mask on chin" or "teokseukeu."

Given this situation, citizens visiting the market expressed their unease. A woman in her 30s said, "These days, people just buy songpyeon ready-made, so they flock here," adding, "I had no choice but to come out to buy side dishes, but honestly, this is a bit much."

Another man in his 30s said, "With COVID and everything, it just feels a bit uneasy," and quickly turned away.

As concerns grow about COVID-19 spreading in crowded places like traditional markets, health authorities warned on the 30th that the Chuseok holiday could be a turning point in the declining trend of COVID-19 infections. There is concern that if prevention guidelines are not properly followed, the number of confirmed cases could rise again.

Yoon Tae-ho, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters' COVID-19 prevention team (Public Health Policy Officer at the Ministry of Health and Welfare), said at a regular briefing, "The fact that the number of cases peaked at the end of August and has been declining since is meaningful, and we will do our best to maintain this downward trend," adding, "The biggest turning point in this decline is the Chuseok holiday period."

He continued, "If control is not properly maintained during the Chuseok holiday, there is a possibility that the number of confirmed cases will surge again a few days after the holiday ends," urging, "Please strictly follow prevention guidelines and, if possible, rest at home," repeatedly emphasizing the importance of adhering to COVID-19 prevention measures during the Chuseok holiday.