Cherry blossoms are in full bloom in Jeju amid COVID-19 fear.
Cherry blossom festivals have been canceled. Health authorities are trying to stop crowds from viewing the flowers as spring flower enjoyers' infection has been reported on the mainland.
Joseph Kim reports.

The flowers of pure white, tinged with the palest pink are opening.
The flower tunnel stretches along the road.
Cherry blossom attract people who have long stayed at home for the virus fear.


All of local cherry blossom festivals have been canceled for COVID-19.
But health authorities still have concerns on possible large gathering and frequent close contact with others during the cherry blossom season.

250,000 visited the three-day long cherry blossom festival last year which was held in (전농로) Jeonnong-ro.

This year, the number of visitors is expected to drop 70 percent. But health authorities cannot be less vigilant.

Last week, a spring flower enjoyer's infection was confirmed. The patient visited (구례군) Gurae-gun, South Jeolla (전라) Province to view cornelian cherry flower.
Similar cases are being reported on the mainland.

The cherry blossom zone in (진해) Jinhae, South (경상) Gyeongsang Province has been off-limit to prevent virus spread.


Visitors are advised to wear a mask and keep distance with others while enjoying cherry blossom.

Meanwhile, Jeju National University, one of the island’s cherry blossom sites, has decided to ban entering of the public to its campus until April 5th.

Mike Balfour, KCTV