(Fighting against New Crown Pneumonia) South Korea extends "maintain social distance" measures to close many cherry blossom viewing spots
China News Agency, Seoul, April 4 (Reporter Zeng Nai) As of 0:00 local time, the cumulative number of newly diagnosed cases of South Korean new pneumonia reached 10,156. The South Korean government extended the "maintain social distance" measures and closed many cherry blossom viewing spots.
According to the report of the Central Ministry of Epidemic Prevention of South Korea, 94 newly diagnosed cases were added within 24 hours, of which 48 cases occurred in Seoul, Gyeonggi-do and Incheon in the metropolitan area. The Ministry of Epidemic Prevention said that due to a mass infection in a hospital in Gyeonggi Province and a large number of overseas immigrants arriving in Seoul, the infection in the metropolitan area has increased.
On March 20, at the Incheon International Airport in South Korea, staff members walked through the airport lobby. The South Korean government said it will require European immigrants with long-term visas to be quarantined for 14 days starting on the 22nd. Photo by China Press Agency
At the press conference held on the same day, South Korean Minister of Health and Welfare Park Ling-ho said it would extend the "maintain social distance" epidemic prevention measures until April 19. He said that churches, indoor entertainment venues, etc. will be suspended until the 19th. If business owners are required, they must abide by the government's anti-epidemic guidelines.
South Korean Prime Minister Ding Shijun said that the "maintain social distance" measure has a serious impact on people's lives and social economy, but the epidemic in the capital area and the global spread of the situation can not be relaxed and will continue to implement this measure.
The first weekend of April coincided with the cherry blossom season in Seoul, but many celebrations were cancelled due to the epidemic. The reporter saw outside Hanoi Park in Yeouido, a famous cherry blossom viewing spot in Seoul, with banners such as "No Vehicle Passage" hanging at the entrance.
According to Seoul ’s Yeongdeungpo District, this year ’s Yeouido Cherry Blossom Festival will be cancelled; to prevent gathering, vehicles and people are prohibited from passing through the cherry blossom viewing area near Yeouido, and multiple parking lots and bus stations will be closed on weekends. Data show that last year 5.2 million people visited the area to enjoy cherry blossoms.
In the cherry blossom viewing areas such as Ishimura Lake and Liangcai River in Seoul, comprehensive control measures have also been taken over the weekend.
Cherry blossom viewing activities across the country were cancelled. As early as mid-February, Korea ’s most representative cherry blossom festival, the Naval Port Festival, was cancelled. This is the first time the festival has been closed for 57 years. According to news from Jeju Road, about 20 cherry blossom celebrations and more than 60 events have been cancelled due to the epidemic. In places such as Ohara Temple in Jeollanam-do, officials advise people to enjoy cherry blossoms in their cars by car. (Finish)