CITIZENS HEAD OUTDOORS UNDER RELAXED GUIDELINES

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Visitors flocked to nearby mountains and parks yesterday to enjoy the first weekend under the relaxed quarantine regulations. Authorities are bracing themselves for the upcoming long holiday stretch that starts on Buddha's Birthday this Thursday, until Children's Day on May 5th. (REPORT)Welcome back, I'm Choi Kyu-yeon and we start off with our top stories

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​A long stream of people are out and about, hiking. The Korea National Park Service employees emphasized the need for them to keep a safe distance from one another.

[Soundbite] "There are 2m marks on the ground. Please keep your distance accordingly."

Most are wearing masks at the start of the trekking course. But many take them off as they run out of breath or become sweaty. Some hikers stick close to each other, under a shade to take a break or share food.

[Soundbite] "Please keep your distance. We're practicing a 2m distancing campaign."

Park service employees and volunteers' frequent cautions fall on deaf ears time and again.

[Soundbite] PARK MUN-SU(VOLUNTEER) : "Most of them follow rules, but some don't listen and don't even wear masks. I wish they would at least adhere to our distancing guidelines."

Strong winds have subsided and the weather has grown warmer tempting many citizens to come out to parks.

[Soundbite] PARK RAE-CHANG(VISITOR) : "Since the number of confirmed cases dropped and the situation has stabilized, many people feel safer about coming outside."

Authorities fear there could be a resurgence of COVID-19 cases after the golden holiday week starting on April 30th.

[Soundbite] JUNG EUN-KYEONG(DIRECTOR, KOREA CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION) : "Consider yourself an asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic person and keep in mind your complacency could hurt your parents, children and neighbors."

When visiting tourist destinations, Koreans are asked to avoid confined or crowded places, practice social distancing and wear masks.