Hadong-gun in Gyeongnam Raises Social Distancing to Level 2 for the First Time... Strengthened Quarantine Measures Including Gathering Ban

Shin Jong-woo, Director of Welfare and Health Bureau, Gyeongnam Province.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kang Sharon] Hadong-gun, Hadong-gun, Gyeongnam, where 29 confirmed cases occurred, raised social distancing to Level 2 as of 2 p.m. on the 21st.

Since social distancing was subdivided from Level 3 to Level 5 on the 7th, this is the first time that Level 2 has been raised in Gyeongnam.

Gyeongnam Province announced in a COVID-19 response briefing on the 21st that the number of confirmed cases related to a middle school in Hadong-gun increased by 3, bringing the total to 29.

As confirmed cases surged, quarantine authorities raised social distancing within Hadong-gun to Level 1.5 from the 19th and further elevated it to Level 2 starting at 2 p.m. on the 21st. The Level 2 social distancing will last for one week.

With the upgrade to Level 2 social distancing, three types of facilities including entertainment venues, danranjip (karaoke bars), and colateks are prohibited from gathering, and karaoke rooms and indoor sports facilities must cease operations after 9 p.m. Restaurants and cafes can only offer takeout and delivery after 9 p.m.

At PC rooms, which are popular among students, eating food is prohibited, and if there are no partitions, seats must be spaced one seat apart. Eating is also prohibited in academies and study cafes.

Gatherings and events are limited to fewer than 100 people, and religious facilities must restrict attendance to within 20% of seating capacity. The mandatory mask-wearing requirement is expanded to all indoor facilities and high-risk outdoor activities.

Shin Jong-woo, Director of the Welfare and Health Bureau of the province, emphasized, “The COVID-19 virus becomes more active and survives longer in low temperatures and dry environments, so winter poses a higher risk of infection than other seasons,” adding, “Please reduce outings, gatherings, and use of multi-use facilities for the time being, including this weekend, and strictly follow core quarantine rules such as wearing masks and washing hands.”

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