Changwon City Enforces Core Quarantine Rules with Upgrade to 'Social Distancing Level 2'

Suspension of Indoor Public Facility Operations... Decision to Prosecute 12 Individuals Refusing Inspection

On the 24th, Heo Seong-mu, Mayor of Changwon City, held a press conference to announce the elevation to 'Social Distancing Level 2,' enforcing mandatory daily quarantine measures and threatening legal action against 12 individuals who refused testing. (Photo by Changwon City)

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Hwang Choi Hyun-joo] After the August 15 Gwanghwamun rally, the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) nationwide approached 400, leading the government to raise social distancing to Level 2 on the 22nd. Accordingly, Changwon City in Gyeongnam decided on the 24th to mandate core quarantine rules.

The city first suspended operations of indoor public cultural and sports facilities such as libraries and museums, and limited crowd density by deciding that working personnel would work from home, among other measures.

In particular, public health centers plan to temporarily suspend general medical treatment and health promotion projects and concentrate health personnel on quarantine responses such as screening clinics.

Additionally, establishments frequently used by unspecified large numbers of people, such as entertainment bars, PC rooms, and public bathhouses, were designated as 12 types of high-risk facilities and were required to cease operations.

For the 12 types of facilities, gathering restrictions, visitor log creation, and mask-wearing were mandated as core quarantine rules. Churches were classified as medium-risk facilities, actively encouraged to hold non-face-to-face services, and prohibited from holding face-to-face meetings such as retreats and group meals.

The city also mentioned the results of a survey on the worship forms of all churches within its jurisdiction. According to the city, out of 514 churches in the area, 390 are conducting online video worship services.

Furthermore, as of the current standard, regarding the trend of confirmed cases in the city and the Gwanghwamun rally, there have been 47 confirmed cases so far, with 37 recovered and 10 patients under treatment.

There were 367 participants in the Gwanghwamun rally, of whom 311 voluntarily reported themselves. Among those tested, 272 were negative, 1 positive, and 12 refused testing.

Mayor Heo Seong-mu of Changwon said at a press conference that day, “The 12 people refusing testing will be prosecuted if they do not get tested by today,” and added, “The situation is so serious that we are even considering raising social distancing to Level 3.”

Mayor Heo continued, urging citizens, “The increase in infections is growing rapidly, and if Level 3 is raised, all daily activities except essential social and economic activities will be halted, which could be fatal. Quarantine rules are a powerful weapon to protect neighbors and family, so I ask for active cooperation in investigations and testing.”

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