Quarantine Workers Also Take Summer Vacation... President Moon: "They Also Have the Right to Cool Off" (Update)

Urging Local Governments and Medical Institutions to Ensure Rest for COVID-19 Response Personnel... "They Should Be Able to Rest with Their Families"

[Asia Economy Reporters Jungmin Ryu and Sunhee Son] President Moon Jae-in urged local governments and medical institutions to consider allowing COVID-19 quarantine personnel to go on summer vacations with their families, emphasizing special attention to this matter.

Blue House spokesperson Kang Min-seok said on the 22nd, "There are reports that frontline quarantine personnel at screening clinics, who are fully engaged in COVID-19 response, are complaining of high fatigue due to the prolonged situation," adding, "President Moon requested that local governments and medical institutions operating screening clinics ensure at least minimal rest for COVID-19 quarantine personnel through their interest and consideration."

President Moon stated, "The quarantine personnel at screening clinics have endured great hardship due to the prolonged COVID-19 response and the summer heat. Many find it difficult to take summer vacations," and added, "I hope related ministries such as the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Ministry of National Defense actively review support measures, including manpower support, so that quarantine personnel can have time to rest with their families. Those who need rest."

On the 8th, a citizen is receiving a test at an outdoor specimen collection booth installed in front of the COVID-19 screening clinic at Gwangjin-gu Public Health Center in Seoul. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

Spokesperson Kang said, "The Republic of Korea's screening clinics are the central axis of K-quarantine. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, as of the 19th, 621 clinics are operating nationwide, of which 358 are medical institutions, 258 are public health centers, and 5 are others."

Spokesperson Kang explained, "They wear Level D protective suits weighing a total of 5 kg, including full-body protective clothing, goggles, masks, face shields, double gloves, and shoe covers, while conducting medical interviews, fever checks, and specimen collection from symptomatic COVID-19 patients in container boxes, tent clinics, and drive-throughs."

Spokesperson Kang said, "Please note that screening clinics have been operating since January, as foreign media have highlighted. Since they were established in January and have been working continuously up to this time, it is possible to imagine how much fatigue has accumulated due to the intense workload," adding, "The President believes that these personnel also have the right to cool down from the heat."

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