By Honorary Reporter Joey Aguilloso from Philippines

Photos= Joey Aguilloso

How was it like returning to Korea during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic?

The Philippine travel ban to Korea in late February was immediately followed by the cancellation of flights by certain airlines. As a student in Korea, I had to rebook my flight so I could make it in time for the start of spring semester. Even when people around me questioned if I should continue my studies given the health risk in Korea, I decided to go. Despite the ban, students, permanent residents and registered workers in Korea were still allowed to leave the Philippines and board flights to Korea.

At the airport, my body temperature was taken twice at the check-in counter and the boarding gate to make sure I had no fever. I was also asked about the purpose of my visit amid strict travel restrictions. As expected, only a few people were on my flight to Korea. I was alone in my row and most of the other passengers were Korean nationals and permanent residents of the country.

I arrived at a near-empty Incheon International Airport. For the first time in my four years of going back and forth, I saw just a few people at the usually crowded airport. And the silence was deafening.

Everyone was wearing masks and the airport was constantly being disinfected. Not surprisingly, I was the only passenger on an airport bus going to my university in Nonsan, Chungcheongnam-do Province.

Despite the rise of COVID-19 in Korea at the time, I wasn't scared at all because I knew the Korean government was doing its best to protect the people, both natives and foreign residents. It's been more than a month since I returned to Korea, and I'm glad to hear that the curve has been flattened for the past few days. I pray for the safety of everyone amid this pandemic and hope everything returns to normal as soon as possible.

chaey0726@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.