Government to Conduct 'Detention Investigation' for Refusal of COVID-19 Epidemiological Surveys and Obstruction of Quarantine Policies (Update)

Medical staff transporting a patient with the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] The government will strictly respond with detention investigations if individuals intentionally refuse epidemiological investigations or obstruct quarantine policies related to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). Detention investigations will also be pursued in cases of false reports that mobilize large-scale personnel or habitual false reporting three or more times.

On the 9th, the Prime Minister's Office announced that the government decided this during an emergency meeting of related ministers chaired by Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun to respond to the spread of group infections in the metropolitan area. The meeting was attended by ministers from the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Ministry of Employment and Labor, as well as the Commissioner of the National Police Agency and the Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency.

The Ministry of Justice reported that detention investigations will be the principle if there are organized and planned refusals of epidemiological investigations or active obstruction of government quarantine policies.

The standards for handling related cases will also be strengthened, striving for imprisonment or the maximum fine to be imposed in trials, and if the sentencing does not meet these standards, active appeals will be made.

The National Police Agency will have investigative departments of local police agencies directly investigate violations of the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act, and will strictly prosecute illegal multi-level marketing companies or entertainment establishments that violate quarantine guidelines by applying other laws as well.

The National Police Agency stated that it has investigated 707 individuals who violated the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act, including those who violated quarantine orders, and among 282 people prosecuted and sent to the prosecution, six who maliciously and repeatedly violated quarantine orders were detained.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare will additionally designate facilities with high infection risk as high-risk facilities and will conduct pre-inspections of religious propagation facilities, Hamba restaurants, and manpower offices as part of preventive quarantine measures. Furthermore, the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act will be revised to specify the basis for compliance with quarantine guidelines and to create provisions allowing immediate imposition of fines.

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