"Can't We Spend Vacation at Home?"... Citizens Outraged Over 'Wonjeong Entertainment'

COVID-19 Emergency Extends Beyond Seoul Metropolitan Area
Movements to Travel for Entertainment in Non-Metropolitan Areas
Citizens Call for Nationwide Social Distancing Level Increase

On the morning of the 10th, vacationers visiting Hyeopjae Beach in Jeju City are enjoying water activities. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] "Social distancing measures should be raised nationwide."

As the number of COVID-19 cases surges recently, mainly in the Seoul metropolitan area, and the summer vacation season overlaps, concerns about the so-called 'balloon effect' are growing. With social distancing in the metropolitan area elevated to Level 4, there is concern that more people may travel to non-metropolitan areas, where quarantine measures are relatively lax, for 'expedition entertainment.'

In particular, as the number of new cases increases not only in the metropolitan area but also in non-metropolitan areas, some voices are calling for strong quarantine measures nationwide.

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) announced at a regular briefing on the 9th that a new Level 4 social distancing would be applied to the metropolitan area, including Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon, for two weeks from the 12th to the 25th.

Initially, the government considered applying Level 4 only to Seoul, but due to concerns about the 'balloon effect' in Gyeonggi and Incheon, the entire metropolitan area was grouped together for ultra-high-intensity measures. However, Ganghwa and Ongjin counties in Incheon will apply Level 2, considering regional characteristics and the situation of confirmed cases.

During the Level 4 social distancing period, private gatherings of three or more people are prohibited after 6 p.m., allowing meetings of up to two people only. This effectively acts as a 'nighttime outing' restriction. Violations may result in fines of 100,000 KRW for individuals and 3 million KRW for facilities.

Meanwhile, with high-intensity social distancing implemented in the metropolitan area, concerns have been raised that people may flock to non-metropolitan areas with lower social distancing levels. As the peak vacation season begins, increased domestic movement could accelerate the spread in non-metropolitan areas.

In fact, the spread in non-metropolitan areas is intensifying. The proportion of confirmed cases in non-metropolitan areas exceeded 20% for four consecutive days from the 9th to the 12th, recording 22.1% → 22.7% → 24.7% → 27.1%. The spread, which was centered in the metropolitan area, is rapidly expanding in non-metropolitan areas as well.

On the morning of the 12th, citizens are lining up to get tested at the screening clinic of the Gangnam-gu Public Health Center in Seoul. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. [Image source=Yonhap News]

In response to the strong social distancing measures in the metropolitan area, some citizens showed signs of planning 'expeditions' to non-metropolitan areas. Recently, various online communities have shared information about entertainment venues and clubs in nearby non-metropolitan cities such as Cheonan and Asan in Chungnam. As a result, Chungnam Province raised its social distancing level from 1 to 2, fearing this balloon effect.

There were also citizens determined to proceed with their planned vacations. One netizen expressed on an online community, "Last year, I canceled my flight tickets with tears because of COVID-19. This year, I was determined to travel and even booked flights and accommodations in Jeju Island, but the number of confirmed cases suddenly increased again." They added, "I'm tired of constantly booking and canceling like this," and said, "I will wear a mask properly and be careful when I go."

Given this situation, there are calls for non-metropolitan areas to implement strong quarantine measures similar to those in the metropolitan area. With the highly transmissible 'Delta variant' rapidly spreading among young people, there is concern that if residents of the metropolitan area travel to non-metropolitan areas, the spread could worsen.

Office worker Kim (29) said, "What’s the point of applying Level 4 only in the metropolitan area? Some acquaintances said they booked flights to Jeju Island and cannot cancel, so they plan to go on vacation as scheduled." He added, "I canceled all appointments because of the highly transmissible Delta virus. Even if people feel fatigued from continuous quarantine measures, going on vacation now, when confirmed cases are in the thousands, is inappropriate."

Another office worker, Jung (25), said, "I think social distancing levels should be raised nationwide." He pointed out, "Because of the variant virus, the number of confirmed cases can increase to several thousand per day. The variant virus is not spreading only in the metropolitan area. To reduce the number of confirmed cases, the levels should be raised nationwide."

Meanwhile, the government emphasized that it will maintain different levels by local governments but respond flexibly according to the trend of COVID-19 spread. Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum said in an interview with TBS Radio's 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory,' "There is definitely a balloon effect in areas outside the metropolitan area," but added, "We can check the situation by local governments and adjust the response levels accordingly."

He continued, "Local government heads have requested to raise the levels all at once, but that would severely damage the local economy," and said, "However, we have provided several manuals to thoroughly manage local quarantine measures for beachgoers and summer vacationers."