Gwangju City Extends Closure of All Daycare Centers Until March 8

Gwangju City Hall

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] Gwangju Metropolitan City announced on the 26th that all daycare centers (1,126 locations) and hourly childcare providers will be closed until the 8th of next month to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The city had previously decided to close these facilities from the 24th of this month to the 1st of next month as the COVID-19 crisis alert was raised to the "serious" level.

Even if daycare centers are closed, emergency childcare will be provided by assigning duty teachers at all daycare centers for dual-income families, single-parent families, and other parents who request it, as home care is difficult.

There are no restrictions on reasons for using emergency childcare, and attendance will be recognized even if children are cared for at home without attending during the closure period. Parents will not incur additional childcare fees.

Additionally, during the closure period, families wishing for home care such as dual-income or multi-child families can use the child care service to receive expert caregiver dispatch services.

All daycare centers will implement thorough quarantine measures by restricting outside visitors during emergency childcare, disinfecting childcare rooms, teaching materials, and tools daily, and providing masks and hand sanitizers.

Furthermore, a notice was sent to families informing them that if a guardian is a worker, they can use the Family Care Leave system (up to 10 days annually, unpaid) and the reduced working hours system for childcare (working 15 to 35 hours per week).

Im Young-hee, Director of the City’s Childbirth and Childcare Division, stated, “To prevent childcare gaps due to daycare center closures, special inspections will be conducted if emergency childcare is avoided or not implemented, and depending on the future spread of COVID-19, we plan to promote an extension of the closure period separately with central government agencies.”

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