From Tomorrow, Capital Region Police to Declare 'Eulho Emergency'... On-Site Inspections and Epidemiological Investigation Support Included

Strengthened Precautions in Non-Capital Areas with Implementation of Social Distancing Level 2.5
Inspection of Prohibited Gathering Facilities and Enhanced Mask Wearing Guidance
'Rapid Response Team' Deployed When Epidemiological Investigation Is Needed

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] In response to the expansion of social distancing to level 2.5 due to the third wave of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), the police have declared 'Eulho Emergency' at metropolitan area provincial police agencies and will conduct inspections of prohibited gathering facilities and support epidemiological investigations.

The National Police Agency announced on the 7th that it will declare the Eulho Emergency at the Seoul, Incheon, Southern Gyeonggi, and Northern Gyeonggi Provincial Police Agencies starting from the 8th, when social distancing level 2.5 is implemented. Eulho Emergency is the second highest police emergency duty level following Gabho Emergency. Police officers in the affected areas will have their annual leave suspended, with up to 50% of available personnel mobilized, and commanders and staff officers are required to work at their designated posts. However, the emergency duty level may be adjusted depending on the extent of COVID-19 spread within the jurisdiction.

In non-metropolitan areas, a heightened alert will be issued when the level is raised to 2. For now, out of 255 police stations nationwide, 243 stations except Daegu and Jeju are already under heightened alert, which will be expanded to cover all non-metropolitan areas.

Regarding assemblies and demonstrations, gatherings of 50 or more people are prohibited in principle under the level 2.5 quarantine guidelines. Additionally, if local governments issue separate administrative orders restricting or prohibiting gatherings, further limitations on the number of participants may apply accordingly.

On-site inspections of prohibited gathering facilities will also be actively supported. Since March this year until the day before, the police have deployed a total of 69,135 personnel to complete inspections of over 530,000 establishments nationwide. They will also strengthen guidance for those not wearing masks and strictly investigate related disputes or assaults on enforcement officers. Reports of violations of quarantine rules at prohibited gathering establishments or those restricted after 9 p.m. will be handled in cooperation with local governments. Police officers will also be assigned to residential treatment centers to maintain safety and order on site.

In particular, as sporadic group infections have significantly increased, if the epidemiological investigation capacity of quarantine authorities reaches its limit, a rapid response team consisting of 8,559 personnel organized at various police stations will be deployed. The rapid response team supports locating missing persons and confirming the movement paths of confirmed cases. As of the previous day, the police have confirmed the whereabouts of 15,345 missing persons and verified the movement paths of 30,866 confirmed cases, achieving a 100% confirmation rate.

The police also plan to minimize work disruptions by providing support from nearby stations and designating substitute departments in case any police station must be closed.

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