Prime Minister Jeong: "Significantly Expanding Preemptive Testing... 150 Temporary Screening Clinics to Be Set Up in the Seoul Metropolitan Area" (Update)

"Over 800 Military and Police Dispatched to Seoul Metropolitan Area... Full Support for Epidemiological Investigation"
"Determined to Protect Entire Korea's Quarantine Like a Dam If Seoul Metropolitan Area Is Breached"
"AI Situation Serious, Nationwide Spread Crisis... Related Ministries and Local Governments Fully Respond"

Prime Minister Jeong Sye-kyun

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwangho Lee] Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said on the 11th, "The government will block further spread of confirmed infection cases and actively seek out hidden transmitters by significantly expanding proactive testing."

At the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) meeting on COVID-19 response held at the Jeonnam Provincial Office that day, Prime Minister Chung stated, "To curb the momentum of this outbreak, we must first gain the upper hand in quarantine efforts in the Seoul metropolitan area."

Prime Minister Chung said, "We will set up temporary screening clinics at about 150 major locations in the metropolitan area and ensure that anyone can easily receive diagnostic tests by the end of the year," adding, "Additionally, we will dispatch about 800 personnel, including military, police, and trainee public officials, to various metropolitan areas to fully support epidemiological investigations."

He emphasized, "If the metropolitan area is breached, it will be like the dam of Korea's entire quarantine system collapsing, so we will devote all our efforts with this determination."

Regarding the recent avian influenza (AI) situation, Prime Minister Chung expressed concern, saying, "It is serious." He explained, "A total of eight cases of avian influenza have occurred at chicken and duck farms in six cities and counties nationwide, including Yeongam and Naju in Jeonnam. Furthermore, antigens are continuously being detected in widespread areas, raising concerns about a nationwide spread and a crisis situation."

He continued, "The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, and local governments should make every effort to prevent a recurrence of the 2016 large-scale outbreak by strengthening farm quarantine measures," and instructed, "Especially through the newly implemented 'Dedicated Officer System for Poultry Farms,' please thoroughly inspect and support to ensure that quarantine rules are properly followed on-site at each farm."

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