‘Unusual Gwangju’ Weekend Critical Point for COVID-19

53 Cases in One Week and Concerns Over Spread in Multi-Use Facilities Like Wedding Halls

Consecutive Event Cancellations and Postponements... Compliance with Personal Prevention Measures Such as Masks

Mayor Lee Yong-seop Appeals to Citizens: "Urgent Need for Public Awareness"

Over the past week since the 27th, 53 COVID-19 cases have been confirmed in Gwangju, and this weekend is expected to be a turning point. The photo shows SKJ Hospital, where confirmed cases were reported, closed on the 1st. Photo by SKJ reporter.

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] As COVID-19 shows signs of spreading nationwide, the Gwangju area is expected to face a critical moment this weekend. With ominous signs such as the cancellation of various events, citizens are being urged to strictly follow personal quarantine guidelines.

According to Gwangju Metropolitan City on the 3rd, a total of 53 confirmed cases have been reported over the past seven days since the 34th confirmed case in Gwangju was identified on the 27th of last month.

Since the first confirmed case in Gwangju on February 3rd, the number of cases in the recent week has surpassed the total cases over the past five months, indicating a rapid spread.

Many of the places visited by confirmed patients include facilities frequently used by the public such as temples, wedding halls, funeral homes, and churches, making it difficult to predict how many additional cases may emerge.

Moreover, the initial source of infection remains unclear, and with diverse infection routes and many multi-use facilities, experts say this weekend will be a turning point to determine whether the spread will continue or subside.

In response to this situation, Gwangju City held a countermeasure meeting with various local organizations on the 1st and raised the social distancing level to Stage 2.

Indoor gatherings of more than 50 people and outdoor gatherings of more than 100 people are prohibited.

Gathering restrictions have also been imposed on 3,365 high-risk facilities such as hunting pubs and emotional bars. Public facilities including zoos, Biennale, and art museums have suspended operations. It is truly an emergency situation.

Large and small events are also being canceled or postponed.

For example, the 'Gwangju Baby Fair,' which was scheduled to be held until the 5th, has been canceled. The organizers, KBC, Kim Daejung Convention Center, and Gwangju City held a countermeasure meeting the previous day and decided on the cancellation.

The 'Resident Expo' prepared for about 2,300 households at Gwangju Women's University auditorium has also been postponed for about a month.

In this regard, Gwangju Mayor Lee Yong-seop issued an appeal to citizens on the 3rd.

On the afternoon of the 3rd, Lee Yong-seop, Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City, issued a public appeal regarding COVID-19 at the city hall briefing room, urging citizens to strictly adhere to quarantine guidelines. Photo by Gwangju Metropolitan City

Mayor Lee said, “The infection routes of confirmed cases are very diverse, including temples, churches, officetels, and nursing homes, and confirmed patients have visited multi-use facilities such as wedding halls and hospitals, raising concerns about further spread. Most of the confirmed cases are elderly, and many have underlying conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease, which is very worrisome.”

He continued, “This weekend is the biggest turning point that will determine whether local infections spread or are contained. Just as a small spark can burn down an entire mountain, individual negligence can undermine the safety of the Gwangju community,” emphasizing the importance of vigilance.

Mayor Lee then requested citizens to ▲ refrain from unnecessary outings and visits to multi-use facilities this weekend ▲ prohibit events and gatherings ▲ and voluntarily recommend the suspension of operations at high-risk facilities.

The mayor stated, “If quarantine rules and voluntary citizen cooperation are not followed this weekend and infections spread, we may have no choice but to consider raising social distancing to the highest level, Stage 3. For the sake of reviving the local economy and restoring citizens’ normal lives, we all must endure the current inconveniences.”

A Gwangju city official said, “Currently, COVID-19 tests are backlogged, making it difficult to predict how many confirmed cases will emerge, so this weekend is expected to be a turning point. Citizens are asked to refrain from visiting crowded places and to strictly follow personal quarantine rules such as wearing masks when necessary.”

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