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| Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun speaks during a meeting at the government complex in Seoul, Monday. Yonhap |
By Jung Min-ho
Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun has urged Jeju officials to stay alert for a possible new wave of coronavirus infections during the upcoming holiday weekend.
"I have been told that plane and train tickets to major tourist attractions were almost sold out. I urge all officials on Jeju and Gangwon provinces to stay alert," Chung said at Monday's meeting in the Seoul government complex.
"The outcome would be seen as a litmus test of whether our society can handle this health crisis while maintaining normal activities of daily living."
Despite Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong's call for people to refrain from visiting the island, more than 170,000 visitors are expected to spend time there during the holiday from late April to early May, including Buddha's Birthday (Apr. 30), May Day (May 1), Children's Day (May 5) and a weekend in between.
With the number of daily new cases hovering around 10 and social distancing eased, many people opt to enjoy their holidays in famous tourist destinations such as Jeju.
According to the Jeju Tourism Association, reservations at the Shilla Jeju and Lotte Hotel Jeju have increased by about 70 percent from a month earlier.
Speaking to reporters on the same day, Jeju Mayor Go hui-beom implored tourists to follow social distancing rules and wear face masks.
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