My Travel Experience in Seoul Amid COVID-19
At the end of 2019, I got a return ticket to Korea from Indonesia. After checking my calendar and tasks at work, I decided to clear up my schedule in early February 2020. Long story short, 2020 was not as beautiful as I imagined. COVID-19 happens, and suddenly people have to adapt to new ways of doing things, which some call “the new normal.” South Korea is no exception. I have been traveling to Korea several times; I have noticed new adjustments made by the Korean government and institutions to accommodate locals and travelers who go through their day while maintaining sanitization and health protocol. Here is my experience traveling to Seoul during this atypical time.
Trip Timeline
Before telling you about my trip, I want to explain the timeline and the COVID-19 situation by the time I travel to Korea. I departed Jakarta on February 4th, 2020, and returned from Incheon a week later, on February 11th, 2020. On the day I took off, South Korea had sixteen confirmed cases, while Indonesia had zero. A day after, the day I went to Seoul, there were two increases in cases, making it eighteen for nationwide Korea. On the other hand, Seoul recorded seven positive cases of COVID-19. Even after my trip ended on February 11th, the COVID-19 situation in Korea was relatively under control, with the number of confirmed cases being twenty-eight nationwide and ten in Seoul. So the travel regulations and health protocol might differ from recent times as the COVID-19 situation develops.
Passing Through Airport
I landed at Incheon airport on Wednesday, February 5th, 2020. On the way through the immigration check, I saw thermal cameras installed and an announcement regarding changes in the immigration check of people flying from certain countries. People who fly from countries that positive cases of COVID-19 would go to the immigration check at a separate terminal. Extra precautions were taken there as health questionnaires were handed in about individual states and travel histories. However, if any person had a fever and deemed it necessary to go through a more thorough checkup by the healthcare officials at the airport, the person would enter quarantine. Another easily recognizable thing was more cleaning staff visible spraying disinfectant and wiping the handles, doorknobs, faucets, or everywhere hands might touch. Incheon airport put extra effort into ensuring hygiene level was maintained.
Out With Public Transport
Stepping from the airport, I took an AREX train and subway to a lodge near Myeongdong. Wearing a mask myself, I felt relieved seeing everyone wearing their mask. Staffers, tourists, and children wear masks. At the time, masks could be found at pharmacies, even though you had to keep updated about which pharmacy had masks in stock.
The reason behind this compliance was the Korean government’s clear instructions for citizens. Posters on the subway and bus stations or electronic billboards on skyscrapers, you’ll see guidance to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Aside from physical posters, government authorities sent emergency alerts to ensure that the public was kept updated about COVID-19.
During my stay in Seoul, I went to tourist attractions using the subway and bus. At every subway station, there are several points where people can sanitize their hands. Usually, hand sanitizers were available near the gates. Also, before the mask rationing system was applied, many city buses provided a free mask for every person not wearing any mask. Hand sanitizer is also installed on every bus door.
Sightseeing Around
By the time I visited Korea, most tourist attractions were open. Five grand palaces, the National Museum of Korea, and Bukchon Hanok village was also opened. Seoul city tour buses were operated normally, even though the number of passengers significantly dropped. Despite not many changes in businesses’ working hours, shopping malls, restaurants, and tourist attractions were eerily quiet. One day, I was having lunch at a restaurant located in Myeongdong. A restaurant worker told me they suffered a loss due to a lack of customers eating out. It was likely to happen because of less and less tourist travel due to the pandemic.
Safe Travel for The Future
In this challenging time, travel might seem impossible for some people in countries that have a high or increased number of COVID-19 cases. There is still the possibility of getting infected or spreading COVID-19 if we don’t refrain from going out. Besides, some countries tighten travel visa requirements or close their gates to tourists. However, we all can agree that the more we are cautious with our actions and adhere to health guidance during the pandemic, the faster we can get to the end of it. If you reside in Korea, travel safely following health and safety guidelines. If your country is still battling to flatten the curve, use a mask if you have to go outside, wash your hands frequently, and avoid crowds whenever possible. Being a hero to the world has never been easier than it is now. Avoid going out for unnecessary reasons. Stay at home.
This article is written for the #Special_Travel_Week campaign to campaign safe domestic tourism amid the coronavirus pandemic hosted by The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism Republic of Korea.
*This article was initially published on Korea.net’s Honorary Korea.net’s’ old website.
