When Disclosing COVID-19 Confirmed Cases' Movement, "Information Identifying Individuals Will Be Excluded"

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyungsoo] The quarantine authorities have decided not to disclose information that can identify individuals when releasing the movement paths of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

On the 14th, the Central Disease Control Headquarters distributed a guideline on information disclosure regarding the movement routes of COVID-19 patients to local governments.

According to the guideline, when a COVID-19 confirmed patient occurs, local governments must disclose the places and means of transportation where contacts occurred from one day before symptom onset until the isolation period. For patients without confirmed symptoms, disclosure is required from one day before the specimen collection date until the isolation period.

The quarantine authorities decided to limit disclosure to places and means of transportation where contact with confirmed cases occurred to the extent that infection is a concern. The scope of contacts considers the confirmed patient's symptoms, mask-wearing status, duration of stay, exposure situation, and timing.

Local governments will exclude information that can identify individuals, such as detailed residential addresses and workplace names, from disclosure. However, if there is concern that transmission to an unspecified number of people at the workplace occurred, disclosure may be made. If all contacts within the relevant space have been identified, information may not be disclosed.

On the same day, Kwon Junwook, Deputy Director of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, said at a regular briefing held at the Osong Disease Control Headquarters in Chungbuk, "We prepared the guidelines considering recommendations from the National Human Rights Commission."

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