Yeongdeungpo-gu Issues Immediate Closure Order for 43 Bathhouses

43 Bathhouses Added to Level 2.5 Restrictions... Administrative Order Banning Gatherings from Midnight on the 31st... Over 500 District Employees Inspected 9,813 Multi-use Facilities on the 29th... Guidance on Enhanced Quarantine Measures... Cha Hyun-il, Yeongdeungpo District Mayor, Conducts Second Day of On-site Inspections

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Yeongdeungpo-gu (District Mayor Chaehyunil) will issue a 'Gathering Ban Administrative Order' for 43 bathhouses from 0:00 on the 31st until further notice, following the escalation to social distancing level 2.5 starting on the 30th.

Bathhouses and saunas, due to their nature, can result in numerous direct and indirect contacts if a COVID-19 confirmed case visits, and it is difficult to wear masks inside, increasing the risk of droplet infection.

Although bathhouses are not included in the facilities subject to the current level 2.5 escalation measures, local governments may designate additional target facilities if necessary.

Accordingly, the district has determined that bathhouses also pose a high risk of infection and that a temporary suspension of operations is unavoidable, leading to this decision.

The district plans to immediately file charges against businesses that do not comply with the administrative order under the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act, and if confirmed cases occur, it will claim compensation for all related quarantine costs such as investigation, testing, and treatment from the business operators and facility users.

Along with this, following the escalation to social distancing level 2.5, the district has implemented strengthened quarantine measures at a total of 9,813 multi-use facilities within the area.

▲ Academies with fewer than 300 people ▲ Study rooms ▲ Study cafes ▲ Lifelong education facilities ▲ Indoor sports facilities are subject to gathering bans ▲ General restaurants ▲ Rest restaurants ▲ Bakeries ▲ Franchise coffee shops are subject to gathering restrictions, day and night care centers are recommended to close, and nursing facilities and nursing hospitals are prohibited from visits.

Since the 29th, about 500 employees from the district office and community service centers have directly visited these 9,813 facilities to deliver official documents related to the strengthened quarantine measures and guide compliance with the administrative orders.

On the 30th, Yeongdeungpo District Mayor Chaehyunil, along with staff, conducted on-site inspections of cafes, restaurants, and indoor sports facilities around Dangsan Station.

Mayor Cha closely examined the implementation status of compliance with the administrative orders. For gathering-ban facilities such as academies and study rooms, he checked for facility closures and posting of notices, and for restaurants and bakeries, he inspected whether mask-wearing and distancing between seats were adequate.

He also confirmed whether the ban on in-store operations at franchise coffee shops was being properly observed.

Yeongdeungpo District Mayor Chaehyunil stated, “The district recognizes the current situation very seriously and is fully committed to protecting the lives and safety of residents. We ask all residents to refrain from going out despite the inconvenience and to strictly follow quarantine rules such as social distancing and wearing masks.”

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