Jincheon to Also 'Accommodate' Temporary Housing for European Arrivals Following Wuhan Returnees

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Hyun-seok] Jincheon-gun, Chungbuk, which embraced Korean residents returning from Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, the origin of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), will now accommodate asymptomatic domestic and foreign nationals arriving from Europe.

According to Jincheon-gun on the 22nd, among the seven temporary living facilities designated by the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) for asymptomatic domestic and foreign nationals arriving from Europe, the Legal Affairs Training Institute in Chungbuk Innovation City was included.

In Chungbuk, the Army Cadet Military School in Goesan was also considered but was excluded after it was confirmed that the restrooms were shared.

The temporary living facilities operated this time are places where asymptomatic individuals arriving from Europe wait for about 24 hours after undergoing diagnostic tests while awaiting results.

This operation follows the CDSCH's decision to strengthen quarantine by testing all approximately 1,000 daily arrivals from Europe starting today.

If the diagnostic test results show no symptoms, domestic nationals are discharged to their residences, and foreigners self-isolate for 14 days at government-designated facilities.

If tested positive, they are immediately transferred to hospitals or living treatment centers.

The Legal Affairs Training Institute relocated from Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, to Chungbuk Innovation City in March 2015 as part of the government's public institution relocation plan. It educates about 130,000 legal and prosecution officials annually through approximately 120 courses. The dormitory has 321 double rooms.

Considering the deployment of quarantine and support personnel, the daily capacity is expected to be around 130 to 140 people. A Jincheon-gun official said, "We received notification from the CDSCH that the Legal Affairs Training Institute has been designated as a temporary living facility for asymptomatic arrivals from Europe," adding, "It will be operational after the 23rd."

Previously, 173 first-wave Korean residents from Wuhan stayed at the National Human Resources Development Institute in Chungbuk Innovation City from January 31st and were discharged on the 15th of last month.

Residents of Jincheon, who initially opposed the decision to accommodate the Wuhan residents, soon changed their minds and allowed their admission. Jincheon-gun actively supported the residents, receiving nationwide encouragement and praise.

Jincheon-gun and its residents also readily accepted the operation of the Legal Affairs Training Institute as a temporary living facility for arrivals from Europe. On the 21st, Jincheon-gun Mayor Song Gi-seop met with resident representatives to seek cooperation regarding the operation of the Legal Affairs Training Institute as a temporary living facility for arrivals from Europe. The resident representatives expressed their willingness to cooperate, stating, "Since this is a national matter, we must cooperate."

He added, "I believe the residents of Jincheon will once again embrace the arrivals from Europe with warm hearts and demonstrate the strength of Saenggeo Jincheon."

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