Kwon Young-jin "Daegu Cannot Transition to Living Quarantine... Must Endure and Be More Careful"

"Uncertain Infection Routes Among Confirmed Cases Occur Sporadically"
Mandatory Mask Wearing on Public Transportation
School Attendance Schedule Also Coordinated with Daegu Metropolitan Office of Education

Kwon Young-jin, Mayor of Daegu / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Lim Juhyung] As the government announced on the 6th the end of the high-intensity 'social distancing' and the transition to 'distancing in daily life,' Daegu City has decided to implement stronger quarantine measures than the government.

On the afternoon of the 5th, Daegu Mayor Kwon Young-jin issued a statement titled "Daegu City's Response Direction and Message to Citizens Following the Government's Transition of COVID-19 Quarantine Policy," saying, "I stand here today to appeal to citizens to endure and be cautious just a little longer," emphasizing, "The current COVID-19 situation in Daegu is unlike the nationwide situation, and we cannot safely transition to daily life quarantine."

He continued, "Daegu experienced a large-scale outbreak accounting for 63.5% of South Korea's confirmed COVID-19 cases, and many patients tested positive again after recovery," pointing out, "There are still sporadic confirmed cases with unclear infection routes."

He further explained, "There is a lurking risk of silent spreaders who are asymptomatic carriers without our knowledge," adding, "Given the current situation in Daegu, we have no choice but to place more emphasis on thorough quarantine rather than a hasty return to normal life."

On the 27th of last month, medical staff at Daegu Dongsan Hospital of Keimyung University in Jung-gu, Daegu, are going to the ward where patients infected with the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are admitted for shift work. / Photo by Yonhap News

Daegu City plans to establish a 'citizen-participatory permanent quarantine system' involving quarantine authorities, infectious disease experts, and civil society.

The main components of this quarantine system include △ maintaining and strengthening COVID-19 diagnostic testing and epidemiological investigation capabilities △ early detection of hidden confirmed cases to block community transmission △ pre-preparation of patient-tailored treatment beds, residential treatment centers, medical equipment, and protective gear △ development of detailed quarantine guidelines by sector suitable for Daegu's situation △ continuous operation of the COVID-19 emergency response headquarters.

The school attendance schedule for students may also be adjusted. Previously, the Ministry of Education announced that high school seniors would return to school starting on the 13th, but Daegu City plans to finalize the attendance dates in consultation with the Daegu Metropolitan Office of Education according to local conditions.

Additionally, the closure of daycare centers will be extended until the end of this month, and the closure order for the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony facilities, will be maintained until the COVID-19 situation is resolved.

Meanwhile, wearing masks is strongly recommended for all Daegu citizens. An administrative order has been issued to mandate mask-wearing when using public transportation such as buses, subways, taxis, and public facilities.

Regarding this, Mayor Kwon said, "For Daegu, COVID-19 is not over until it is truly over," and warned, "If we hastily return to daily life because it is difficult and tough, we may have to endure even greater and more painful suffering again."

He added, "My feelings are truly heavy and apologetic as I can only ask citizens for patience and restraint again rather than hope," urging, "Let us endure a little more, be considerate, and gradually move toward normal life."

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