"Nationwide Efforts Fully Mobilized to Stop COVID-19...Strict Punishment for Obstruction of Quarantine Measures" (Update)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Hyung-gil] President Moon Jae-in on the 16th instructed to mobilize all national capabilities to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), which is showing signs of resurgence mainly in the Seoul metropolitan area.

Kang Min-seok, the Blue House spokesperson, conveyed that President Moon made these remarks after receiving a report on the COVID-19 situation check meeting held at 11 a.m. under the chairmanship of the Chief of Staff.

President Moon said, "This is a critical turning point in COVID-19 prevention and a very serious situation," adding, "With the implementation of the social distancing level 2 upgrade in Seoul and Gyeonggi areas, the government must establish an emergency response support system for metropolitan area quarantine to fully support the metropolitan area quarantine without any gaps."

He continued, "Especially since a large number of confirmed cases may cause a shortage of hospital beds, please promptly activate the metropolitan area fair response system and prepare hospital beds and residential treatment centers to ensure thoroughness."

President Moon also said, "We must seek special cooperation so that religious activities, including churches where cluster infections continue to occur, are conducted while strictly adhering to quarantine rules," and urged, "For churches where cluster infections have occurred, take all measures such as diagnostic testing, epidemiological investigations, and self-quarantine to prevent COVID-19 from spreading to the local community."

He further instructed, "Since multi-level marketing is becoming a source of COVID-19 spread through silent transmission, the quarantine authorities and Seoul City must take extraordinary measures."

President Moon stated, "Any illegal acts that hinder quarantine and do not comply with quarantine rules will be strictly punished in terms of protecting public safety and establishing the rule of law," and added, "I hope those who attended the August 15 rally and their family contacts will actively cooperate with prompt self-quarantine and diagnostic testing for the safety of the community."

He emphasized, "To this end, the government will make thorough preparations and take proactive measures."

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