Gwangju Region's Quarantine Response System Elevated to 'Social Distancing Level 2'

Gwangju 22 Related Organizations Hold Emergency Countermeasure Meeting and Announce Resolution

On the afternoon of the 1st, Lee Yong-seop, Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City, announced a resolution of related organizations in Gwangju to overcome COVID-19 at the city hall briefing room, along with Kim Dong-chan, Chairman of the City Council, Jang Hwi-guk, Superintendent of Education, the heads of five district offices, and heads of related organizations and groups. Photo by Gwangju Metropolitan City

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] Amid the recent surge of COVID-19 cases in the Gwangju area, related organizations in Gwangju Metropolitan City have come together to upgrade the quarantine response system to ‘Social Distancing Level 2.’

On the 1st, 22 related organizations in Gwangju held an emergency countermeasure meeting and declared in a resolution, “The COVID-19 situation is very serious,” adding, “The 22 related organizations including Gwangju City, the Office of Education, the Police Agency, and five district offices will tighten vigilance and upgrade the quarantine response system from ‘Social Distancing Level 1 (Everyday Life Distancing)’ to ‘Social Distancing Level 2’ to protect the Gwangju community from COVID-19.”

Through the resolution, the related organizations decided to impose strict restrictions on gatherings, events, and public facilities.

▲ Gatherings, Meetings, and Events

Indoor gatherings and events of 50 or more people and outdoor gatherings and events of 100 or more people are completely prohibited.

Even if it is unavoidable to hold indoor events with fewer than 50 people or outdoor events with fewer than 100 people, all attendees must strictly comply with quarantine rules such as wearing masks, temperature checks, maintaining visitor logs, and keeping a certain distance between people.

Failure to comply may result in fines of up to 3 million KRW, closure orders for the facilities and organizations involved, and the imposition of various incurred costs.

▲ Public Facilities

From the 2nd to the 15th, multi-use facilities operated by Gwangju City, the Office of Education, five district offices, and their affiliated public institutions will be completely closed.

▲ High-Risk Facilities

The government and Gwangju City have designated 13 high-risk facilities (clubs and other entertainment bars, karaoke bars, emotional pubs, hunting pubs, standing concert halls, singing practice rooms, indoor group exercise facilities, PC rooms, door-to-door sales and direct sales promotion centers, large academies with 300 or more people, distribution logistics centers, buffets, and bicycle, motorboat, and horse racing tracks). From the 2nd to the 15th, administrative measures restricting gatherings are being implemented, recommending that these facilities refrain from operating.

However, if operation is unavoidable, all attendees must strictly follow quarantine rules such as wearing masks, temperature checks, maintaining visitor logs, keeping a certain distance between people, and disinfecting.

▲ Elderly Care Facilities

Preemptive cohort isolation will be implemented, including a two-week ban on visits and restricting outings for workers, and COVID-19 testing will be mandatory for all residents and staff.

▲ Multi-use Facilities Related to Confirmed Cases

Gwangneuksa Temple has been under administrative measures of ‘ban on gatherings and forced closure’ from the 29th of last month to the 13th of this month.

Geumyang Officetel is being investigated with the cooperation of the Police Agency regarding offices within the facility, and if illegal activities are found, police will be notified for prosecution.

Happy View Hospital has completed movement restrictions and quarantine measures for inpatients and staff after closing wards, and for the CCC Agape Silver Center, high-risk residents will be transferred to hospitals capable of infection control, while other residents and staff will undergo cohort isolation within the nursing home.

▲ Obligations of Confirmed Cases

During epidemiological investigations, many difficulties have been encountered in tracing movements and blocking COVID-19 due to non-cooperation from confirmed cases. If confirmed cases actively cooperate in quickly identifying movement paths and contacts, their personal information will be strictly protected and confidentiality maintained, providing maximum support. However, if they are uncooperative or provide false statements, strong measures such as criminal penalties under the Infectious Disease Control Act, claims for treatment costs, and exercise of subrogation rights will be taken.

▲ Elementary, Middle, and High Schools

Measures to reduce student density during school attendance will be implemented in consultation with the Ministry of Education.

▲ Mandatory Mask Wearing

Administrative measures will be enforced to mandate mask-wearing when using public transportation and multi-use facilities.

▲ Securing Hospital Beds

Additional hospital beds will be secured in preparation for the increase in confirmed cases to prepare for any emergency.

Currently, Gwangju City has secured a total of 64 beds, including 17 nationally designated treatment beds (7 at Chonnam National University Hospital, 10 at Chosun University Hospital) and 47 beds at Bitgoeul Chonnam National University Hospital, an infectious disease-dedicated hospital. Currently, 24 beds are in use, and 40 beds are available.

The city is establishing a joint bed response system with Jeonnam Province in preparation for a continued increase in confirmed cases, plans to designate additional infectious disease-dedicated hospitals in emergencies, and will request cooperation from the Gwangju Medical Association and Nursing Association for manpower support.

Meanwhile, the Gwangju Fire Academy dormitory (66 rooms), currently operating as an isolation facility (living treatment center), is preparing plans to secure additional facilities in case of emergency.

The 22 related organizations stated, “We ask citizens to refrain from unnecessary outings, gatherings, and use of multi-use facilities,” adding, “If going out is unavoidable, please be aware that everyone you meet could be a source of COVID-19 infection, and strictly follow personal hygiene rules such as wearing masks, washing hands, and maintaining distance between people. We also ask you to actively refrain from visiting places where many people gather (wedding halls, funeral halls, large restaurants, etc.) and attending various events.”

They emphasized, “If you have a fever or respiratory symptoms, or if symptoms reappear even after isolation has been lifted, please be sure to contact your local health center and get tested.”

They also expressed, “We sincerely apologize for causing great concern and worry,” and stated, “We will overcome this difficulty through the active and prompt response of the quarantine authorities and the united strength of citizens and the local community.”

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