Gwangju City Issues Administrative Order Mandating Diagnostic Testing for Visitors to Entertainment Venues

Kim Jong-hyo, Deputy Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City, is announcing the issuance of an administrative order mandating COVID-19 diagnostic testing for visitors to entertainment facilities in the Sangmu district during an online COVID-19 briefing held at the city hall briefing room on the afternoon of the 19th. Photo by Gwangju Metropolitan City

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] Gwangju Metropolitan City issued an administrative order on the 19th mandating COVID-19 diagnostic testing for visitors to entertainment facilities in the Sangmu district, visitors to churches in the Seoul metropolitan area, and attendees of the Gwanghwamun rally.

Kim Jong-hyo, Deputy Mayor for Administration, stated during an online COVID-19 briefing that afternoon, "Since August 12, 25 local infections have occurred mainly around entertainment facilities in the Sangmu district," and announced, "We are issuing an administrative order mandating COVID-19 diagnostic testing for visitors to entertainment facilities in the Sangmu district."

Deputy Mayor Kim added, "So far, 1,595 people, including contacts of confirmed cases at entertainment facilities in the Sangmu district, have been tested, with 19 confirmed positive. The quarantine authorities believe that a considerable number of people who visited these entertainment facilities have not yet been tested. Those who visited between the 6th and 16th and have not been tested must get tested by the 23rd."

Additionally, Gwangju City has also issued an administrative order mandating COVID-19 diagnostic testing for visitors to churches in the Seoul metropolitan area and attendees of the Gwanghwamun rally.

Deputy Mayor Kim said, "So far, 35 people related to Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, have been reported to our city: 24 tested negative, 7 transferred to other cities or provinces, 2 scheduled for testing, 1 being contacted, and 1 unrelated to Sarang Jeil Church. There are 59 registrants for the Gwanghwamun rally: 54 tested negative and 5 are undergoing testing," emphasizing, "As confirmed cases related to these groups are appearing nationwide, it is essential for those involved to undergo diagnostic testing."

According to the administrative order, visitors to ▲Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul (from the 7th to the 13th), ▲the rally near Gyeongbokgung Station (on the 8th), and ▲the Gwanghwamun rally (on the 15th) must get tested at screening clinics set up at nearby public health centers by the 21st.

Deputy Mayor Kim stated, "During the mandatory testing period, anonymity will be strictly guaranteed for those undergoing testing under the administrative order, and testing costs will be covered without personal expense. If this administrative order is violated, the individual will be reported under Article 49 of the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act, and a fine of up to 2 million won may be imposed under Article 81 of the same law. Additionally, those confirmed positive after the mandatory testing period may be subject to claims for damages."

He continued, "We ask that regular church services be switched to non-face-to-face online formats as much as possible, and that small gatherings such as retreats, overnight prayer meetings, and group prayers be refrained from. Considering that karaoke rooms, PC rooms, and indoor group sports facilities are high-risk venues, we recommend temporary closure until the COVID-19 situation stabilizes. However, if they operate, please strictly adhere to core quarantine rules such as electronic entry logs, mask-wearing, indoor ventilation, and social distancing."

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