“Corona is over now” “I can’t feel it yet”… The expression of the first weekend of ‘Corona End’｜The Dong-A Ilbo

“End of COVID-19? It feels like the tunnel is over.”

Hyeon Jeong-ah (29), who visited Gyeongbokgung Palace in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the morning of the 13th, shook her head and said, “At first I didn’t believe the news that the trend would last for several years, but three years passed in an instant.”

Hyun, who visited Gyeongbokgung Palace with a friend, folded the mask he had worn in his bag. Mr. Hyun said, “I still wear it because I am anxious in the crowded subway,” and “Today, the weather is clear and the air is good, so it is a loss to wear a mask outside.”

On the first weekend after the declaration of the end of Corona 19, Gyeongbokgung Palace began to attract tourists dressed in five-color hanbok from early morning. Most of them spent a leisurely morning taking pictures without wearing masks.

Ms. Yang (59), who went on a trip to Seoul with her parents for the first time in 5 years, said, “I was worried about my health, so I couldn’t think of going on a trip with the elderly. We plan to visit outdoor attractions such as Gyeongbokgung Palace.”

On the morning of this day, which showed clear and cool weather, the Nanji Camping Site in Mapo-gu was also crowded with families, lovers, and friends outing.

Mr. Lee (21, male), who said he didn’t bring a mask at all, said, “It’s been a long time since I’ve smelled grass for so long without a mask.” said.

A family resting on a mat in the shade of a tree was also captured. It was difficult to find citizens wearing masks outdoors. Everyone was spending time with family, lovers, and friends with bright expressions.

Mr. Yoon, who had a mask hanging on his arm, said, “I started seeing my girlfriend right after the Corona 19 epidemic started, but I haven’t been able to get around well in the meantime.”

On the other hand, about half of the citizens I met on public transport and indoors were still wearing masks. I also saw a couple busy putting a mask on a young child before entering the subway station.

Mr. Han (42), who was wearing a mask as he entered Kyobo Book Center in Gwanghwamun with his son, said, “I have caught a cold since the mask duty was lifted, so I try to wear it indoors whenever possible.” .

On this afternoon, travelers on a weekend trip to Seoul Station were busy dragging large luggage bags. On platforms and trains, it was also noticeable that they took off their masks and had a conversation or said goodbye to family and friends.

Kim Chang-hoon (25) said with an excited expression, “I’m going on a trip to Busan with my high school classmates for the first time in three years.”

The government has adjusted the Corona 19 crisis alert from serious to alert and will apply it in earnest from June. It has been 3 years and 4 months since the first case of COVID-19 in Korea occurred in January 2020.

From June, the 7-day quarantine obligation for confirmed COVID-19 patients will be converted to a 5-day recommendation, and the obligation to wear an indoor mask will also disappear in all places except for hospitals with inpatient rooms.

It has also been decided to lift recommendations for temporary screening centers and post-entry COVID-19 gene amplification (PCR) tests. However, it was decided to maintain government support for COVID-19 tests and treatment costs for the time being.

(Seoul = News 1)