Despite Daegu City's Request to Refrain... 5 to 6 Daegu Churches Proceed with Weekend Services

Daegu City Has No Authority to Suspend Weekend Worship
Churches Notified to Comply with 7 Guidelines Including Fever Checks
"Compliance Supervised if Worship Is Forced"
Special Inspection of Shincheonji Facilities

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] Despite the quarantine authorities' request for restraint to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), it has been confirmed that 5 to 6 churches in the Daegu area plan to hold weekend services.

According to Daegu City on the 21st, among the 1,482 churches affiliated with the Daegu Christian Council, 5 to 6 churches are scheduled to hold weekend services on the 22nd.

Although Daegu City recommended refraining from services, since it cannot enforce this, it notified the churches to comply with seven guidelines: checking congregants' temperatures, hand sanitization, maintaining a 2-meter distance when seated, wearing masks, keeping attendance records, prohibiting meal provision, and disinfecting facilities.

The city stated, "Even if the Daegu Christian Council decides to suspend weekend services, the decision to hold them rests with the church's senior pastor," adding, "We are requesting churches to suspend services, but if they proceed, we will monitor compliance with the guidelines."

Additionally, Daegu City, together with the police, will conduct special joint inspections of 77 facilities related to the Shincheonji Daegu Church, Daesun Jinrihoe, and the Church of God, which are not affiliated with the Daegu Christian Council, until the 22nd.

Stronger sanctions will be imposed on Shincheonji-affiliated facilities. The 51 Shincheonji Daegu Church facilities will be inspected every two hours, and religious events will be disbanded upon detection.

Daegu Mayor Kwon Young-jin stated, "The five major religious groups are voluntarily participating in the suspension of religious events to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, but there is concern that some churches and religious organizations may proceed regardless."

He continued, "Our goal is to have single-digit daily confirmed cases by the 28th of this month," adding, "Once we enter a stabilization phase where COVID-19 can be controlled through bans on religious events, school reopening delays, and other measures, social distancing and other policies will be implemented according to the new phase."

Meanwhile, designated as a special disaster area by the government, Daegu City is conducting the '328 Daegu Movement' aiming for the early end of COVID-19. This campaign runs until the 28th of this month and centers on voluntary control by Daegu citizens and adherence to daily prevention guidelines. It includes minimizing outings and travel, refraining from religious gatherings, various assemblies, and visits to multi-use facilities.

Furthermore, companies are encouraged to actively adopt flexible work hours and telecommuting. Individuals are also urged to undergo diagnostic testing if COVID-19 symptoms appear, participate in social distancing, and encourage and support each other through phone calls, text messages, and social network services (SNS).

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