Government Approves 104.1 Billion Won Emergency Funds for COVID-19 Prevention Measures

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwangho Lee] The government has urgently allocated and will spend contingency funds to ensure rapid and sufficient budget support, focusing on direct quarantine response measures such as the expansion of supplies and equipment.

The government approved at the Cabinet meeting on the 18th the expenditure plan of 104.1 billion KRW from the general account contingency funds for two purposes: emergency quarantine response measures to prevent the domestic spread and early termination of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), and support for the operation of temporary facilities for evacuees from Wuhan.

First, 4.1 billion KRW will be invested to expand the quarantine response system. The plan includes expanding the workforce of the 1339 call center by 169 personnel and operating 30 rapid response teams to significantly increase manpower at quarantine sites so that the public can receive medical support promptly and with peace of mind.

203 billion KRW will be provided to strengthen quarantine and diagnostic capabilities. This includes expanding temporary personnel at quarantine stations by 20, extending diagnostic testing to private medical institutions, and increasing the number of negative pressure carriers by 40 units to enhance early detection of infectious diseases and block regional spread.

Additionally, 31.3 billion KRW will be spent on supporting treatment for isolated patients. The budget will significantly increase equipment and operating expenses for screening clinics at the forefront of quarantine efforts (23.3 billion KRW), and reinforce the quarantine system through installation of inpatient treatment beds and expansion of equipment (5.8 billion KRW).

Furthermore, 27.7 billion KRW will be allocated to expand quarantine supplies. Protective clothing, respiratory protective gear, infectious disease prevention kits, and other quarantine supplies will be supplied sufficiently to public health centers, quarantine stations, and medical institutions.

Quarantine supplies such as masks and hand sanitizers will be provided as supplementary needs to facilities operated with national funds that serve vulnerable groups including infants, the elderly, and persons with disabilities, in densely used facilities such as daycare centers and senior centers.

In addition, 15.3 billion KRW is allocated for living support expenses and paid leave support, 1 billion KRW for research and development of COVID-19 treatments and vaccines, and 1.7 billion KRW for publicity through social network services (SNS), media, and outdoor advertising. A budget of 2.7 billion KRW is also set aside for quarantine measures to ensure the convenience of evacuees and infection prevention related to the operation of temporary living facilities for Wuhan evacuees.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Strategy and Finance Hong Nam-ki stated, "To swiftly and sufficiently support emergency quarantine response measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, we have proceeded with the first phase of contingency fund support procedures as quickly as possible. Going forward, we will focus on protecting the lives and safety of the people and economic recovery, and will respond without any delay in budget support for compensating economic losses of patients and medical institutions, as well as additional quarantine response needs."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.