From Halloween to the Autumn Foliage Season... No Day to Relax from COVID-19

Possibility of 100,000 Gathering on Halloween Day
Full Parking Lots at Bukhansan Every Weekend

Since social distancing measures were eased to Level 1, citizens visiting Children's Grand Park in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, on the first weekend, the 18th, are enjoying their time./Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] As sporadic cluster infections of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continue, another source of concern is emerging. Representative examples include outing visitors enjoying autumn foliage and Itaewon ahead of 'Halloween Day'.

The Central Disease Control Headquarters announced on the 27th at midnight that the number of confirmed cases increased by 88, bringing the total to 26,043. Among the 88 cases, 72 were locally transmitted and 16 were imported. Although the number of new confirmed cases decreased compared to the previous day, new cluster infections linked to nursing hospitals and care facilities vulnerable to COVID-19, as well as family gatherings, acquaintances' meetings, and workplaces centered around the metropolitan area, are continuing to occur.

Amid this, with Halloween Day approaching on the 31st, there are concerns that a cluster infection similar to the one originating from Itaewon clubs in May could recur. In recent years, the number of young people enjoying Halloween has increased domestically, and nearly 100,000 people gather in Seoul's Itaewon on Halloween Day. If visits to clubs by young people increase, there is a high possibility that confirmed cases will rise sharply through this connection. For this reason, health authorities are urging people to refrain from visiting crowded places such as clubs and emphasize compliance with quarantine rules such as wearing masks when visiting, but it remains uncertain whether these guidelines will actually be followed.

Additionally, as the peak autumn foliage season begins, the flow of people visiting famous mountains and tourist spots nationwide to enjoy the foliage continues unabated. The Bukhansan parking lot, which can accommodate 1,200 vehicles, was filled with visitors' cars every weekend. The biggest problem is hikers climbing the mountain without wearing masks. Most hikers wear masks up to the mountain entrance, but it is common for them to pull the mask down below the chin or not wear it at all while climbing.

Not only the mountains but also the sea pose problems. Although the beach season has ended, people continue to visit the beaches. In fact, last weekend, beaches such as Yeongjongdo and Eulwangri in Incheon were crowded with people enjoying the sunset.

Accordingly, health authorities are intensifying quarantine measures. From the 17th to the 15th of next month has been designated as the 'Autumn Foliage Season Quarantine Intensive Management Period.' During this period, special quarantine management will be conducted at national parks, natural recreation forests, arboretums, and temples, and a large number of quarantine personnel will be deployed to places expected to be crowded with tourists to guide quarantine rules. Additionally, by operating a reservation system in advance, user density will be reduced, and for charter buses used for tourism purposes, the introduction of QR code-based electronic entry logs has been mandated to manage passenger lists.