'콩나물시루' 출퇴근길 여전...대중교통 '3밀' 어쩌나<br /><br />While the South Korean government has put in place tougher quarantine measures to stem the spread of COVID-19,... users of public transport remain exposed to confined, crowded, and close-contact environments and many are naturally concerned.<br />Kim Hyo-sun has the details.<br />This is what Seoul's subway looks like at eight o'clock in the morning.<br />Despite the continued social distancing level 2-point-5 amid the rise in COVID-19 cases,... subway cars are still crammed during rush hour.<br />"I thought I left home earlier than usual, but I guess it's still very crowded since many people are doing the same."<br />Keeping a healthy distance inside the subway cars - that are generally poorly ventilated - is practically impossible.<br />This is the confined, crowded and close-contact environment, which the South Korean government has repeatedly urged the public to avoid.<br />"Aside from the inconvenience of wearing masks, I'm always concerned about the possibility of getting infected on the train."<br />While the government has urged corporations to adopt work-from-home schemes, many are still physically commuting to their offices on crowded subways.<br />"Working from home is not an option for me. I'm especially worried on my way home as it's extremely crowded at around 6 p.m. So I try to face toward an empty area inside the train."<br />This is especially worrisome as COVID-19 cases with unknown sources of infection account for nearly 30 percent of the country's total cases.<br />Experts say it's highly likely the virus could have spread via public transit, especially through buttons and handles that are frequently touched by numerous people.<br />"There are no cases reported as tracing is practically impossible. The government needs to press companies to allow their employees to work from home."<br />As public transit workers - bus drivers and those working at subway stations - have tested positive for the virus,... there are mounting concerns over possible transmissions.<br />To this end, the city of Seoul plans to test all public transit employees in the near future.<br />Nevertheless, many point out that the South Korean government needs to take a more fundamental approach,... by proactively demanding firms adopt flexible working hours or work-from-home schemes.<br />Kim Hyo-sun, Arirang News.<br />
