The six days of holiday begins tomorrow, Buddha's Birthday, and ends on May 5th, Children's Day.
180,000 are expected to visit the island during the holiday. The local health authorities see the holiday as a critical period for containing COVID-19 and are expanding quarantine measures.
Todd Thacker reports.

With the long spring holiday approaching, local health authorities are strengthening quarantine measures to help curb the spread of COVID-19.
Flights to and from Jeju and the mainland are fully booked and hotel reservations are nearly at capacity.


An estimated 180,000 travelers are expected to visit the island from tomorrow through May 5th.


Local health authorities see the spring holiday as a critical period for containing COVID-19 and in response are ramping up quarantine precautions.
The province is reinforcing quarantine measures at the island’s air and sea ports.


The walk-through clinic and other medical facilities at Jeju International Airport will be expanded by deploying more virus testing equipment and additional medical workers.
Visitors who show symptoms will be tested at separate clinics.

The province has been carrying out site inspections at some 800 local tourism businesses to determine whether they are prepared to receive guests safely.
These businesses, which include island restaurants and hotels, are required to implement reinforced quarantine measures.


During the holiday, the province will operate a situation room to rapidly respond to any potential problems at hotels, guest houses, and tourist attractions.

Last week Governor Won Heeryong made a direct appeal to mainlanders to delay or cancel their Jeju travel plans. During a press conference he stressed that visitors will be required to strictly follow the province's augmented quarantine measures.

Won Heeryong / Jeju Governor
Jeju islanders have all worked to keep the virus at bay. The province has heightened quarantine precautions to the level of national borders. My fellow citizens, please reconsider your trip to Jeju.
<싱크 : 원희룡/ 제주특별자치도지사>
"제주도민이 한마음으로 제주를 지켜왔고 코로나 사태가 완전히 끝난 것이 아니기 때문에 제주는 지금까지 국경수준의 강화된 방역체제라는 기준을 가지고 유지했습니다. 국민여러분께 부탁드립니다. 가급적 제주로의 여행을 자제해 주시길 바랍니다."

The governor added that if visitors show any symptoms, they must report to health authorities immediately. He emphasized that his office will take legal action against anyone who fails to report COVID-19 symptoms during their trip.

Won Heeryong / Jeju Governor
If you have any symptoms, even if they are mild, please consult with health authorities and ask for help. My office will take legal action against visitors and fellow travelers who continue on their itineraries while failing to report their symptoms.
<싱크 : 원희룡/제주특별자치도지>
"조금이라도 비슷한 증상이 있으면 적극적으로 지원을 요청해서 보호를 받기를 바랍니다. 이런 전방위적인 지원 안내에도 불구하고 자신이나 일행의 증상을 숨길 경우 모든 행정적법적 책임을 철저히 묻겠습니다."

As social distancing rules gradually loosen nationwide, this upcoming vacation has put Jeju Island, a top holiday destination, on full alert.

Todd Thacker, KCTV