This spring, an unexpected cherry blossom ending: Festivals nationwide have shuttered to prevent spread of virus
Yeouiseo-ro behind the National Assembly in Yeouido, western Seoul, one of the most popular places for people to visit to enjoy cherry blossoms in full bloom each spring, is closed until April 10 for pedestrians and until April 11 for cars. The move is to prevent any further spread of the coronavirus. [NEWS1]
As the global coronavirus outbreak has introduced social distancing into the world’s vocabulary, large gatherings such as concerts, sporting events and festivals nationwide have been canceled to prevent the spread.
After weeks of sticking close to home, people are naturally eager to get out, enjoy the warmer temperatures and admire the beauty of spring as they do every year. Taking a stroll among the cherry blossoms is an annual traditional for many, and over one million people gathered in Yeouido, western Seoul, last week to enjoy the scene. As some areas attract large amounts of people every year, some grow wary about whether it would be safe to go during a global pandemic.
After the cancelation of the Jinhae Gunhangje Festival in South Gyeongsang, one of the most popular seasonal events in the country, other cities and regional governments began to cancel scheduled spring celebrations.
Songpa District in southern Seoul has already blocked trails throughout the district to keep people from gathering, and Yeongdeungpo District in western Seoul has decided to cancel the Yeouido Cherry Blossom Festival this year. This year is the first time that Gunhangje is not happening in its 57 years of history and the first time for the Yeouido festival to be canceled in 16 years.
The choice to cancel the flower festivals comes after the government and Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention strongly recommended that people keep a safe physical distance from one another to minimize the spread of the virus earlier in the year.
Since the flowers will still be blooming even with the festivals being canceled, regional and city governments are shutting down parking lots and blocking trails to keep people from gathering. Yeongdeungpo District has decided to block parts of Yeouiseo-ro, behind the National Assembly, also known as Yunjung-ro.
That 1.6-kilometer-long (1-mile-long) street is known for being lined with cherry blossoms and has already seen many visitors this year despite warnings. The number of Yeouido park goers jumped 28 percent in the fourth week of March to 1.43 million people from 1.12 million at the same time last year, with 20-somethings on dates and families enjoying some outdoor time, according to the Seoul city government. Security agents have been dispatched to stop anyone from entering Yeouiseo-ro. The road will be blocked to cars until April 11, and the pedestrian road will be closed until April 10.
Left: A child looks at cherry blossoms from behind a fence blocking the trail surrounding Seokchon Lake in Songpa District, southern Seoul. The trail is blocked until April 12. Right: An official sterilizes public facilities around the Songjeong Jebang trail, one of the most popular cherry blossom viewing areas in Seongdong District, eastern Seoul. [YONHAP, NEWS1]
The city government and the Yeongdeungpo District Office will collaborate to promote the shutdown of the parking lots and discourage people from coming out to walk the tree-lined streets.
“We ask you to refrain from going out to see flowers this year to follow the ‘social distancing’ campaign for the safety of the citizens,” said Shin Yong-mok from the Seoul city government’s division in charge of businesses around the Han River.
To keep people from coming out to the park by the Han River, the city government will also crack down on anyone setting up tents to prevent gatherings.
Convenience stores alongside the Han River are encouraged to move some of the facilities that keep people inside the stores outside, such as ramyeon cooking machines that keep people in stores for a few minutes after making purchases.
Seongdong District in eastern Seoul has been sterilizing all public facilities around its popular Songjeong Jebang trail, known for its large cherry blossom trees. The trail’s annual festival has also been canceled.
How can you enjoy the flowers this year? You can start by appreciating the small bunches of flowers blooming up on the streets on your way to work or stores that you need to visit. Or simply browse your photos from years past to satiate your desire to enjoy the refreshing feeling of spring.
If you insist on taking a look at the flowering trees, one place you can go to is your computer. The Songpa District Office is airing live footage of the cherry blossoms around Seokchon Lake on its official website, as well as on other social media channels like YouTube and Facebook. The trail around the lake is blocked until April 12, and the footage will be aired until then.
BY LEE SUN-MIN [summerlee@joongang.co.kr]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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