Increase in Church-Originated Cluster Infections... Health Authorities Say "Discussion Needed to Include Religious Facilities as High-Risk Facilities"

Wangseong Church Cluster Infection Increases by 7 to Total 19
Juyeonggwang Church Currently 11 Confirmed Cases
Diagnostic Testing Underway for All Congregants
"Request to Refrain from Indoor Gatherings and Singing"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] The quarantine authorities stated that it is necessary to discuss including religious facilities as high-risk facilities for COVID-19. This is because cluster infections of COVID-19 have been rapidly occurring mainly in religious facilities such as churches recently.

On the 27th briefing, Kwon Jun-wook, Deputy Director of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, said, "Regarding religious facilities, it is necessary to discuss social distancing at the level of the Central Disease Control Headquarters," adding, "Although they are not currently included, we consider it a stage where discussion about including them as high-risk facilities is necessary."

High-risk facilities include academies nationwide, door-to-door sales facilities, logistics centers, singing rooms, entertainment bars, hunting pubs, karaoke bars, and indoor group exercise facilities. These facilities face strong sanctions such as fines or business suspension if quarantine rules are not properly followed.

As of 12 noon on the same day, the number of confirmed cases related to the cluster infection at Wangseong Church in Gwanak-gu, Seoul, increased by 7, totaling 19. Wangseong Church is a large church with over 1,700 members, and the quarantine authorities are currently conducting diagnostic tests on all church members.

At Juyeonggwang Church in Anyang-si, Gyeonggi Province, 11 people have been confirmed positive, and the quarantine authorities are investigating 80 church members. It was found that this church did not properly ventilate during worship and also provided meals.

Increase in Overseas Inflow Cases Total 20
Kyrgyzstan Highest with 10 Cases

Deputy Director Kwon said, "Despite learning lessons from the Shincheonji Church cluster infection, cluster outbreaks have not ceased, so the quarantine authorities have no choice but to emphasize this repeatedly," adding, "The world is changing due to COVID-19, and only places, facilities, and groups that properly follow distancing and lifestyle rules will be chosen by the public."

He urged that even if religious activities are conducted, they should be done non-face-to-face, and when visiting facilities, people should refrain from activities such as singing or actions that may cause droplets indoors. Deputy Director Kwon added, "We recommend outdoor gatherings more than indoor ones."

Meanwhile, overseas inflow cases are also on the rise. As of midnight on the same day, there were 20 new confirmed cases of overseas inflow. The estimated regions and countries of inflow are Kyrgyzstan with 10 cases, the most, followed by Europe with 3, Kazakhstan and Iraq with 2 each, and the Americas, United Arab Emirates, and Afghanistan with 1 each.

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