CHANGES IN THIS YEAR'S CHUSEOK HOLIDAY

[Anchor Lead]

Visits to ancestors' graves during this year's Chuseok holiday are unlikely to happen due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of the cemeteries are to stay closed during the holiday period, and a growing number of families are opting to pay respects online.

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A table set for ancestors appears on screen. Users lay flowers and write messages for their deceased relatives. This online grave service is provided by Incheon Family Park, the largest cemetery in Korea. Users can visit shrines in virtual reality and view the images of urns of their loved ones. The service is available during the Chuseok period, as the cemetery will be closed due to the pandemic. More than 100 reservations were made on the first day.

[Soundbite] KIM MYUNG-SOOK(INCHEON RESIDENT) : "My relatives are even more worried because of the pandemic. They want to avoid crowded places during Chuseok."

Those who have trouble using the Internet or who want to visit their relatives' graves in person have already visited the cemetery during less crowded hours.

[Soundbite] KIM YOUNG-JAE(INCHEON RESIDENT) : "This place is going to be closed during Chuseok because of the coronavirus. So I decided to visit it early on."

A growing number of people are also opting to use mowing services without visiting their relatives' graves this year. Many local governments including Guri City plan to strictly follow virus prevention measures during the Chuseok holiday to stop the spread of the virus by keeping local cemeteries closed.

[Soundbite] PARK NAM-CHOON(INCHEON MAYOR) : "This could be an opportunity for a new outbreak. I urge you to avoid traveling as much as possible and spend this Chuseok with your immediate family."

The pandemic has changed the way Koreans will be celebrating Chuseok, traditionally known for the mass exodus of people traveling to their hometowns.