Quarantine officials disinfect at Suwon Station in Suwon, south of Seoul, on Feb. 3, 2020. (Yonhap)
BUSAN, Feb. 5 (Korea Bizwire) — The coronavirus outbreak is changing the everyday lives of South Koreans.
People are refraining from going outdoors and meeting with others, even those in areas unaffected by the epidemic.
31-year-old surnamed Kim, the mother of a 9-month old baby in Busan, prefers to stay at home to prevent any chances of contracting the disease.
Kim has stopped going out for groceries at a local mall, fearful that her baby might be exposed to the deadly virus. Instead, she orders food and everyday essentials online.
A housewife surnamed Cho, who had recently planned a trip to Southeast Asia with her son, decided to change her mind and go on a trip domestically, based on concerns that countries bordering China may not be safe.
The Philippines, for instance, recently reported the first casualty of the coronavirus outside of China.
53-year-old surnamed Kim, a soon-to-be bride with a wedding scheduled for February, is concerned that the coronavirus might ruin her joyous occasion.
“I now feel sorry to ask my friends to come to my wedding,” Kim said. “The wedding is just around the corner, and more people are saying they can’t make it to the event.”
As fewer people are going outdoors, buses, trains, and other means of public transportations are being used less often.
On the other hand, an increasing number of households are either cooking at home or using delivery services to order food.
Movie theaters, malls, and department stores are emptying up, even on weekends.
Haeundae Beach, hot springs, and other major tourist destinations for Chinese visitors have more or less been abandoned, to the detriment of local businesses.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
