Local Governments Establishing Temporary COVID-19 Facilities to Receive Extra Points in Ministry of Health and Welfare Projects

COVID-19 Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters Regular Briefing
Extra Points to Be Given in Regional Welfare and Health Promotion Project Competitions
Appropriateness of Quarantine Locations for Re-Entering Foreigners to Be Evaluated

A hotel located in front of Songdo Beach in Seo-gu, Busan, has been designated as a dedicated temporary living facility for isolating foreign seafarers. On the morning of the 13th, 16 organizations, mainly consisting of residents of Seo-gu, Busan, including the Songdo Amnam Tourism Promotion Association, Songlim Volunteer Group, and Merchants' Union, held a protest in front of the hotel.

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] To prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), the government has decided to provide incentives to local governments that offer temporary living facilities for overseas arrivals. Due to local opposition and other difficulties, setting up temporary facilities has been challenging, so the government plans to encourage this by awarding extra points in public contest projects.

On the 31st, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters received a report from the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s Central Accident Response Headquarters on the "Plan to Provide Incentives to Local Governments Actively Cooperating in the Installation of Quarantine and Treatment Facilities." Accordingly, various community evaluations and major public contest projects conducted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare will reflect the cooperation of local governments in installing temporary facilities. This will apply to evaluations of local welfare projects, community integrated health promotion projects, and local health care plans.

Other central government ministries have also agreed to independently identify areas where incentives can be provided to outstanding local governments and to cooperate accordingly. Yoon Tae-ho, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters’ quarantine team, said at a briefing that "there are frequent difficulties due to opposition from some local residents or merchants during the process of installing temporary living facilities," adding, "We will make more meticulous efforts in operating temporary living facilities to prevent community infections and prepare various incentive measures for actively cooperating local governments to benefit the community."

According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, 52 temporary living facilities and residential treatment centers have been installed and operated in 27 local governments nationwide, with over 36,000 people having stayed or received treatment. Many facilities were located near airports, especially in Incheon, and facilities were also set up in Cheonan, Jecheon, and Gimpo.

Arrivals at Incheon International Airport Terminal 1 are receiving transportation guidance for overseas arrivals.

Meanwhile, considering the recent increase in foreign nationals re-entering the country, the suitability of their actual residence as a quarantine location will be reviewed during the immigration inspection process. Foreigners submit their intended place of stay upon departure and re-entry, but it has been found that many live in places unsuitable for self-quarantine, such as shared housing.

To address this, immigration officers will contact building owners directly to check the living arrangements at the declared address during immigration inspection. If the location is deemed unsuitable for self-quarantine, the individual will be quarantined in a facility. This is because communal living arrangements, such as sharing meals or bathrooms, pose a high risk of spreading the virus to others nearby. Additionally, local governments will provide information in advance on unsuitable self-quarantine locations such as goshiwons and motels within their jurisdictions to build a database.

For about 1,000 refugee applicants who are expected to re-enter after departure, a thorough investigation will be conducted on the refugee screening process stage, expiration of stay period, and reasons for refugee application to promptly review and decide on refugee approval upon re-entry. To strengthen the management of registered foreigners currently residing in the country, a full survey will be conducted on those requiring urgent management.

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