[Q&A] Religious Facilities and Clubs Advised to Suspend Operations... "Let's Fight for 2 Weeks to Overcome COVID"

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Yoo Eun-hye (left) and Minister of Health and Welfare Park Neung-hoo are attending and conversing at the venue of Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun's public address on social distancing held at the Government Seoul Office Building on the afternoon of the 21st.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] As cases of cluster infections of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continue unabated, the government has imposed a 15-day operation restriction on religious facilities, indoor sports facilities, and entertainment establishments.

On the 21st, Park Neung-hoo, the first deputy head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Minister of Health and Welfare), explained during a back briefing at the Seoul Government Complex in the afternoon, "This administrative order was issued to express the government's strong determination," adding, "The central government has issued an administrative order to ensure compliance with facility group quarantine guidelines." He further stated, "Over the next two weeks, we will fight COVID-19 and send children back to school as soon as possible."

This measure is a prohibition order on assemblies and gatherings under Article 49 of the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act. This is the first time the Minister of Health and Welfare has issued an administrative order in this regard.

The Central Accident Response Headquarters recommended suspending operations from the 22nd to the 5th of next month for ▲ religious facilities ▲ indoor sports facilities such as dance halls, dance academies, fitness centers, and sports studios ▲ entertainment establishments including colatecs, clubs, and entertainment bars. The priority targets included in this administrative order are places where cluster infections have occurred or where the nature of the business poses a high risk of infection. According to the Central Accident Response Headquarters, among a total of 95 COVID-19 cluster outbreaks, religious facilities accounted for 11 cases (12.1%), with an average of 17.2 patients per case. One indoor sports facility case resulted in 116 patients.

However, the administrative order does not forcibly suspend operations of the facilities or industries included. If the compliance requirements set by the quarantine authorities are not followed, fines or claims for damages may be imposed. Compliance requirements for facilities and industries allowed limited operation include ▲ immediate leave for symptomatic workers ▲ maintaining a distance of at least 1 to 2 meters ▲ placing hand sanitizers at entrances and throughout the facility.

Local governments will conduct on-site inspections starting from the 22nd. They will check whether the facilities are operating and if they are following quarantine guidelines. If a local government head issues an administrative order and it is not complied with, penalties under the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act (a fine of up to 3 million KRW) will be imposed, and if confirmed cases occur, claims for damages (compensation rights) for hospitalization, treatment, and associated quarantine costs may be requested.

Minister Park emphasized, "The goal of future measures is to reduce new confirmed cases to zero as quickly as possible," adding, "For this, each citizen must strictly adhere to social distancing and personal hygiene rules."

◇ Below is a Q&A with Minister of Health and Welfare Park Neung-hoo regarding the 15-day operation suspension recommendation for religious facilities, indoor sports facilities, and entertainment establishments.

- Can the government's announcement be understood as showing the government's determination to block infectious disease transmission for 15 days until the school opening on April 6?

▲ Yes, it shows the determination of the quarantine authorities and related ministries to block infectious disease transmission. The intention is to fight COVID-19 over the next two weeks so that children can safely return to school as soon as possible.

- Is it difficult to postpone the school opening? Will there be operational guidelines by industry after school starts?

▲ The Prime Minister's statement did not specify a school opening date. It is difficult to open schools without ensuring safety. This afternoon (21st), common guidelines by facility type will be issued, and local governments will be allowed to flexibly apply these guidelines.

- Is this the first time the government, rather than local governments, has issued an assembly and gathering restriction order under the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act?

▲ Under the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act, the Minister of Health and Welfare and provincial governors can issue administrative orders. Local government heads have issued such orders before, but this is the first time the Minister of Health and Welfare has done so.

- The current guidelines recommend suspending use of religious and sports facilities. Is there no enforceability?

▲ The guidelines require preventive measures such as maintaining a certain distance when using facilities. It does not prohibit use itself but issues preventive guidelines for each facility and recommends compliance.

- Karaoke rooms, PC rooms, and academies could all be subject to administrative orders. There is no compensation for losses other than loan support. Are there any measures for self-employed people?

▲ We are aware that self-employed people such as academies are facing great difficulties due to social distancing. Although the Prime Minister's statement did not include support measures for the self-employed, special support plans are being prepared. We will announce them once the details are finalized.

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