Establishment of Unauthorized Quarantine Violation Measures: "No Prior Approval Exceptions, Prosecution Without Justifiable Reason" (Update)

[Image source = Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Eun-young] The government has established action guidelines for unauthorized absentees based on measures taken by local governments and court precedents. Unauthorized absences without justifiable reasons will, in principle, be subject to prosecution.

On the 8th, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) held a regular briefing and announced that COVID-19 self-quarantine violators who leave without justifiable reasons will, in principle, be prosecuted.

However, those who have obtained prior permission will not be considered unauthorized absentees. Prior permission applies to cases such as diagnostic testing, hospital treatment, taking exams, attending funerals, temporary release from quarantine for overseas arrivals, and mid-term departure, as approved by health authorities.

Additionally, in unavoidable situations requiring emergency evacuation such as disasters or emergency medical situations, guidance measures will be taken. For cases without intentionality, such as dementia or mental illness patients, minors, or those who misunderstand the release time, guidance will be provided only initially.

Self-quarantined individuals must, in principle, wear a safety band or remain isolated in facilities even during guidance. Refusal will result in prosecution.

The government plans to prosecute self-quarantined individuals who refuse these measures.

The CDSCH stated that these unauthorized absentee action guidelines were established based on local government measures and court precedents.

According to the CDSCH, as of 6 p.m. the previous day, the total number of self-quarantine subjects was 32,155. Among them, 22,178 were overseas arrivals under self-quarantine, and 9,977 were domestic self-quarantine cases.

Local governments are operating 66 temporary living facilities with 2,740 rooms for overseas arrivals or self-quarantined individuals without a residence, with 946 people currently admitted and in quarantine.

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