Around 1,600 Expected Today... Concerns Over Quarantine During Chuseok Holiday

Confirmed Cases Remain High During Chuseok Holiday
Analyzed Due to Metropolitan Area Spread and Chuseok Travel Volume

Citizens waiting in line at the temporary COVID-19 screening clinic set up at Seoul Station Plaza on the 19th. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] During the Chuseok holiday, a similar scale of COVID-19 cases as on weekdays is occurring, raising red flags for Chuseok quarantine measures. This is because around 1,500 locally transmitted cases have been reported for four consecutive days in the metropolitan area alone, and nationwide movement has increased ahead of Chuseok day.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH) on the 20th, as of midnight the previous day, there were 1,910 new COVID-19 cases. This is 177 fewer than the previous day (2,087), but it is the highest number recorded on a Saturday (announced on Sunday) since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in Korea.

The previous weekend record was 1,816 cases on the second Saturday of last month (August 14, announced on August 15 at midnight). Looking at weekend cases over the past six weeks, the numbers were 1,816 → 1,626 → 1,619 → 1,490 → 1,755 → 1,910, with the last four weeks ranging between 1,400 and 1,700 cases.

Usually, the number of tests and confirmed cases significantly decreases on weekends and holidays, but recently, the spread has intensified mainly in the metropolitan area, resulting in weekend case numbers similar to weekdays. The CDCH analyzed this scale of cases, stating, "It is believed that the recent outbreak in the metropolitan area combined with increased movement during the Chuseok holiday preparation period has had a complex impact."

The number of new confirmed cases as of midnight on the same day is expected to be around 1,600, possibly reaching the low to mid-1,600s. According to a mid-day tally from midnight to 9 p.m. by the quarantine authorities and local governments including Seoul, there were a total of 1,534 new cases, which is 318 fewer than the 1,852 cases reported at the same time the previous day. Considering recent trends in nighttime case occurrences, it is expected that the total will not exceed 1,700.

The government is operating about 500 screening clinics nationwide to ensure no disruption in diagnostic testing during the holiday period. Additionally, temporary screening clinics have been set up and are operating at 17 major transportation hubs such as main bus terminals and train stations to provide testing for travelers returning home or heading back.