Gyeonggi-do, Infection Testing and Prohibition of Close Contact for Itaewon Visitors from April 24 to 28

Kim Jae-hoon, Director of the Gyeonggi-do Health and Wellness Bureau, is holding an emergency briefing to explain the emergency administrative changes issued in relation to the COVID-19 cluster infection at Itaewon clubs.

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Gyeonggi Province has changed the application date for the administrative order related to COVID-19 at Itaewon clubs in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, which was issued on the 10th, from after April 29 to after April 24.

Kim Jae-hoon, Director of the Provincial Health and Wellness Bureau, held an emergency briefing on the 12th and explained the reason for the change, saying, "After analyzing the onset dates of symptoms of the initial patient and confirmed cases, as well as the opening date of the clubs, epidemiological investigation results indicated that it is appropriate to investigate contacts from April 24. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency shared the same opinion."

Earlier, on the 10th, the province ordered COVID-19 infection testing and prohibition of interpersonal contact for visitors to clubs visited by confirmed cases after April 29 and a sleep room in Gangnam-gu, Seoul.

Accordingly, those with addresses, residences, workplaces, or other ties in Gyeonggi Province who visited any of the six clubs located in Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul?▲King Club (KING CLUB), ▲Queen (QUEEN), ▲Trunk (Trunk), ▲The Fountain (THE FOUNTAIN), ▲Soho (SOHO), ▲H.I.M (H.I.M)?or the Black Sleep Room in Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam-gu, after April 24, must visit a public health center as soon as possible to get tested for COVID-19.

The prohibition of interpersonal contact applies from the day after the last visit to the relevant establishment and lasts up to two weeks or until confirmed uninfected. Additionally, if classified as a close contact, separate quarantine orders may be issued by health authorities.

During this period, free testing is available even if the individual does not disclose whether they visited the club or sleep room. The province explained that this measure creates conditions where sexual minorities can get tested without hiding, serving as a quarantine solution to prevent discrimination against sexual minorities.

The province emphasized that individuals should promptly respond to COVID-19 testing and refrain from interpersonal contact, noting that if infection spreads due to them, their visit history will be confirmed during the epidemiological investigation of the initial infected person.

According to Gyeonggi Province on the 12th, since the administrative order for infection testing was issued on the 10th, 808 people voluntarily underwent COVID-19 testing related to the Itaewon clubs as of the 11th.

This administrative order is based on the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act, including epidemiological investigation (Article 18, Paragraph 3), health examination (Article 46), quarantine and prohibition of interpersonal contact (Article 47), and violations may result in imprisonment of up to two years or a fine of up to 20 million KRW. Furthermore, if infection spreads due to violation of the order, related quarantine costs will be claimed.

This gathering ban administrative order applies to a total of 5,734 entertainment facilities in the province, including 5,536 clubs, room salons, stand bars, cabarets, singing clubs, and singing bars, 133 emotional pubs, and 65 colatecs.

Director Kim said, "Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 cluster infection related to Itaewon clubs, Gyeonggi Province has deployed an immediate response team to conduct in-depth epidemiological investigations, carried out full inspections and disinfection of related high-risk facilities, and is making every effort to block the spread of infection," and urged, "Please actively follow the quarantine authorities' guidelines, including personal quarantine rules, to overcome COVID-19."

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