Gwangju City Strengthens Management of COVID-19 Self-Quarantine Cases

Gwangju City Hall

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] Gwangju Metropolitan City announced on the 15th that it is strengthening the management of self-quarantined individuals in line with the extension of COVID-19 social distancing level 2 measures.

To thoroughly manage the rapidly increasing number of self-quarantined individuals since the end of last month, the city is reorganizing the dedicated self-quarantine management team, enhancing surprise inspections on-site during day and night, providing guidance on compliance with self-quarantine rules, and strengthening support to alleviate daily inconveniences. In addition, strict measures such as immediate legal action will be taken against those who leave quarantine without permission.

First, to strengthen monitoring of self-quarantined individuals, the ratio of self-quarantined individuals to dedicated public officials has been maintained at approximately 1:1. Support teams have been activated, and reserve dedicated public officials have been secured according to the situation in each autonomous district.

Self-diagnosis reports are submitted twice daily through the self-quarantine safety protection app, and at least one surprise phone call is conducted daily. Starting with joint nighttime surprise inspections by the city, autonomous districts, and police on the 6th and 7th, joint on-site inspections by autonomous districts and police have been conducted more than four times a week since then.

Additionally, to prevent laxity in compliance with self-quarantine rules during the quarantine period, each autonomous district sends guidance text messages at least twice a week. To alleviate inconveniences caused by self-quarantine, medical kits containing thermometers, masks, hand sanitizers, and official bags, as well as relief supplies such as food and daily necessities, are continuously provided.

However, if a self-quarantined individual leaves without permission, the autonomous district health center cooperates with the local police station to locate the individual, enforce quarantine measures, and immediately file legal charges. In case of additional confirmed cases, strong measures such as criminal prosecution and claims for compensation for quarantine costs and business losses will be considered.

So far, Gwangju has recorded a total of 13 cases of unauthorized quarantine breaches, all of which have been reported. Among these, two cases have been closed with no charges, eight cases have been sent to the Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office with prosecution opinions for violations of the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act, and three cases are still under investigation.

Lee Jeong-sik, Director of the City Autonomous Administration Bureau, stated, “The next two weeks are considered a critical turning point to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the community. We will thoroughly monitor self-quarantined individuals and actively work to alleviate their inconveniences to prevent violations. However, we will apply a zero-tolerance policy and respond strictly to any unauthorized departures.”

Meanwhile, as of 8 a.m. on the 15th, there are 1,453 self-quarantined individuals residing in Gwangju (441 overseas entrants and 1,012 community contacts). The city and autonomous districts operate a 24-hour management system with 831 dedicated self-quarantine team members monitoring and supporting daily inconvenience relief, and have secured about 880 reserve dedicated public officials to prepare for an increase in self-quarantined individuals.

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