Balloon Effect in Amusement Parks and Shopping Districts
Social Distancing Not Maintained
Tracking Confirmed Cases' Movements Becomes Difficult
Around 9 p.m. on the 12th of this month, Lunar New Year's Day, near Gangnam Station in Seoul. As the bars closed, the streets were crowded with people.
[Asia Economy Reporters Byungdon Yoo, Jeongyun Lee] Around 9 p.m. on the 12th, Lunar New Year’s Day, near Gangnam Station in Seoul. As bars closed due to social distancing measures, the streets were packed with people who had nowhere else to go. Many had spent the holiday at home instead of returning to their hometowns and then visited entertainment districts to meet acquaintances. Office worker Lee (29) said, "Because of COVID-19, I didn’t go to my hometown and stayed home, but I came to Gangnam Station to drink with my college friends. Since I can’t meet my family, I thought meeting friends would help create a holiday atmosphere, so I went out." After bars closed, it was easy to find people smoking with their masks pulled down to their chins and others saying, ‘Let’s go home and have another drink.’
The government’s request to refrain from returning home and the ban on gatherings of five or more people if immediate family members live separately greatly reduced the number of people visiting their hometowns. However, a balloon effect occurred as those who gave up returning home visited entertainment districts, recreational areas, and shopping facilities. Most people who chose to go out explained, "I planned to spend the holiday at home, but I ended up going outside because I felt stifled."
The alleys near the Cheonggyesan entrance in Seocho-gu were also crowded with people enjoying hiking in the warm weather. The area near the trailhead was bustling with people preparing to climb the mountain, and hikers lined up to use the air guns set up to remove dust. Office worker Park (34) said, "Despite COVID-19, I was frustrated just looking at my smartphone in bed, so I came to the mountain after a long time." As crowds gathered, violations of social distancing rules were frequently observed. Groups of five or more hiked together, and dozens of people sat closely together at rest areas. It was not uncommon to see people talking with their masks lowered or breathing heavily.
During the holiday period, various parts of downtown Seoul were also crowded. Around 3 p.m. on the last day of the holiday, the 14th, several roads leading to the parking lot of a department store in Yeongdeungpo-gu were completely blocked with cars. Many people gathered, waiting in line for parking for 20 to 40 minutes or more. The department store was crowded with shoppers from the entrance, especially many family groups of three to four people. In front of the Apple Store in a department store located in Yangcheon-gu, a long queue of customers waiting to enter formed. Social distancing was not maintained, and it was difficult to find empty seats on the sofas installed throughout the store.
Dongdaemun Market, Hwanghak-dong Flea Market, Dongmyo Secondhand Market, and the area around Jongno 5-ga Station were bustling with unprecedented crowds. Men and women of all ages, friends, families, and foreigners mixed together, filling the main roads and every corner of the alleys. The toy and stationery streets were especially crowded with families accompanied by young children. In traditional markets, it became common to eat food closely packed together without social distancing. A convenience store owner near Hwanghak-dong said, "This place is probably the most densely packed facility without a ceiling. Enforcement is difficult, and since many transactions are in cash, it would be hard to trace contacts even if confirmed cases appear. The quarantine authorities and local governments should not just stand by with their hands tied."
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