Location: China Date: March 4, 2020
Background: South Korea did not implement rigorous border control in response to the coronavirus outbreak in China. As a result, in just a short period of time, the number of confirmed COVID-19 virus infected patients in South Korea has exceeded 5,000. Many Chinese in South Korea have chosen to return to China. Those arriving from South Korea at a Chinese airport are taken directly to a local quarantine site for a 14-day isolation.
Woman: “Now I have arrived at this hotel which is a designated quarantine site. Let me show you what it is like. It was like this when I entered this room. This is the so-called quarantine. Look at everything here. After the previous guest left, no one came to replace (these old dirty) stuff or tidy up the room, and I am to be quarantined here. Damn it, even healthy people would get a viral infection here. Who is the owner of this teeth brushing set? Come pick them when you see this video. Same situation here, look. This is the so-called quarantine. They charge 790 Yuan ($113.4) per day, and I have already made payments for the entire (14-day) quarantine period.”
The Chinese people in South Korea were scared when the tally of confirmed coronavirus cases kept rising in South Korea. As their only source of information regarding the outbreak in China is Chinese state media, which significantly underreported the figures, many Chinese in South Korea chose to fly back to China.
Chinese authorities have used this opportunity to brag that China outperforms other countries in coronavirus control, and is now taking back Chinese citizens from other virus-hit countries. However, the first group of Chinese who flew back from South Korea have already found themselves in a helpless situation.
In addition, the flights between the two countries will increase the burden on local public health services, and pose a higher risk of further coronavirus spreading in local communities.
Suspected Coronavirus Patient Treated Like Criminals When Taken Away From Home
https://vod.brightchat.com/assets/7c925960-e813-4ef4-5ce3-5d20e3b67931/video_480p.mp4
A Chinese Airport Takes Strict Measures to Inspect Passengers From South Korea
https://vod.brightchat.com/assets/3b6d0359-d88a-4136-7578-144928841491/video_720p.mp4
Beijing Citizen: Central Authorities Shift Responsibility
https://vod.brightchat.com/assets/63502f8f-828e-4e0b-5e0d-2349a6afe0bb/video_720p.mp4
