Suncheon Office of Education Native English Instructors Visit Itaewon... Undergo COVID-19 Testing

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] As COVID-19 cases originating from the 'Itaewon Club' continue to spread nationwide, it has been reported that two native English-speaking instructors affiliated with the Suncheon Education Support Office under the Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education are among those affected.

According to a Suncheon City Health Center official on the 11th, tests were conducted on 22 individuals, including the two native English-speaking instructors who had visited Seoul, and so far, no positive cases have been confirmed.

There are a total of 39 native English-speaking instructors affiliated with the Suncheon Education Support Office. Although only two instructors have visited Seoul, including Itaewon, due to their nature of close contact with foreigners, there is a growing argument that COVID-19 testing should be conducted for all native English-speaking instructors. This has led to calls for proactive measures from both Suncheon City and the Suncheon Education Support Office.

The Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education requires those who have visited the Seoul area to undergo testing and begin working from home.

Additionally, school staff who have had contact with native English-speaking instructors are to self-quarantine at the discretion of the school principal. Schools where native English-speaking instructors participated in emergency care services must immediately suspend these services, and for schools with fewer than 60 students that have native English-speaking instructors, the start of the semester will be postponed until the 20th.

A representative from the Suncheon Education Support Office stated, “Under the guidelines of the Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education, we will actively respond to the COVID-19 situation, including measures involving native English-speaking instructors.”

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