Coronavirus: South Korea Holds Elections in Masks and Clinics
Millions of South Koreans are expected to vote in today’s parliamentary elections. But with the coronavirus outbreak, it’s not exactly a typical election.
Social distancing
As voters queue up to cast their ballot, they must stand 1 meter (3.2 feet) apart. Stickers on the ground indicate where they need to stand.
Gloves and masks
Anyone who isn’t wearing a mask will be handed one before they enter the polling station. Voters are also given gloves, and their temperature is taken. Anyone with a temperature of more than 37.5 degrees Celsius (99.5 degrees Fahrenheit) must vote in a special booth.
Casting their vote
Inside the polling station, the booths are regularly disinfected.
Disposing of gloves
Once they’ve voted, voters can discard their gloves.
There are separate polling booths set up in clinics and quarantine centers, where coronavirus patients can cast their vote.
South Korea currently has nearly 11,000 coronavirus cases and has recorded 225 deaths. There have also been reports of recovered patients testing positive again in the country.
