"Incheon City to Continue Strong Social Distancing Measures... Vigorous Response Until the End of COVID-19"

Extension of Public Facility Closures, Outdoor Areas of Incheon Grand Park and Recreation Forest Remain Open
Comprehensive Testing Continues for Overseas Arrivals

'Social Distancing' to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 [Asia Economy Archive Photo]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] Although the government has implemented relaxed social distancing measures related to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), Incheon City has decided to continue maintaining the existing strong measures until COVID-19 is completely eradicated.

Considering the recent decline in the number of new confirmed cases, the government decided to end the high-intensity social distancing and extend the somewhat relaxed form of social distancing until May 5.

However, despite the government's relaxation policy, Incheon City will continue to promote the existing strong measures to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

First, the city plans to consistently promote the living quarantine rules through online and offline channels so that citizens can follow them on their own. They will actively publicize thorough handwashing, cough etiquette, maintaining a 2-meter distance, ventilating at least twice daily, and regular disinfection.

Also, to reduce contact among citizens, most public facilities operated by the city, such as libraries, performance venues, and sports facilities, will be closed.

However, outdoor spaces of 10 forest recreation facilities, including Incheon Grand Park, Wolmi Park, and Ganghwa Seokmodo Natural Recreation Forest, will be open on the condition of compliance with quarantine guidelines. Indoor facilities such as zoos, greenhouses, and lodging facilities will remain closed.

The city has decided to cancel or postpone 63 events scheduled until next month, May 5.

Accordingly, the 53rd Annual Meeting of the Asian Development Bank, originally scheduled for May, will be postponed to September 18, and the Diaspora Film Festival and Cultural Heritage Night Tour will be tentatively postponed to September. Various trainings and meetings will, in principle, not be held.

For private facilities with a high risk of infection, such as academies, the city will continue to check and inspect compliance with quarantine guidelines and provide quarantine supplies such as masks. In particular, through special guidance and inspection of 124 construction sites and other vulnerable facilities, the city plans to thoroughly prepare against the risk of group infections.

Since rapid detection is most important to reduce the risk of infection transmission, the city will significantly expand the scope of testing beyond the mandatory testing subjects designated by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency.

Incheon City was the first in the nation to conduct diagnostic tests on all overseas entrants and, through about 22,000 self-tests conducted by the 19th, identified 39 infected individuals, thereby preventing community spread.

Additionally, discharged patients are advised to self-quarantine for 14 days and undergo retesting on the 7th day. Retesting for all discharged patients, including those previously discharged, is also being promoted.

The city will continue to operate an infection surveillance system through sampling surveys of 500 group facilities such as nursing homes, intensive quarantine management for residents and staff, and diagnostic testing for a wide range of subjects including patients visiting primary medical institutions such as pediatrics, internal medicine, otolaryngology, and family medicine.

Mayor Park Namchun stated, "Incheon is a gateway city with an airport and port, so stronger social distancing than the government's recommendations is inevitable to prevent the inflow and spread of infectious diseases," and urged, "Until COVID-19 is completely eradicated, citizens should not let their guard down and strictly adhere to social distancing."

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