Gwangju Mayor Lee Yong-seop Urges Adherence to Quarantine Rules, Including Avoiding Weekend Outings and Gatherings

Lee Yong-seop, Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City, is conducting an online briefing on COVID-19 at the city hall briefing room on the afternoon of the 18th. Photo by Gwangju Metropolitan City

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] Lee Yong-seop, Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City, urged strict compliance with quarantine rules related to religious activities this coming weekend.

Mayor Lee said during an online briefing on COVID-19 response at 4 p.m. on the 18th, “Nationwide, more than 1,000 confirmed cases have been reported daily for three consecutive days, marking the greatest crisis ever. However, thanks to the active cooperation of citizens, the safety of the Gwangju community is being maintained. I deeply thank all citizens.”

However, he explained, “It is difficult to predict when and what kind of situation will occur in Gwangju City. In particular, in the past week, 24 confirmed cases have occurred at six churches and related facilities, and 544 contacts have undergone COVID-19 diagnostic testing.”

The city prohibits small gatherings other than regular worship services this weekend and will hold Christmas commemorative events in the form of regular worship services, limiting attendance to 30% of seating capacity.

Also, removing masks to sing hymns or pray inside churches and activities such as eating are prohibited.

He also asked citizens to refrain from attending religious events held in other regions and from individual Bible study meetings conducted by inviting lecturers from other regions.

Mayor Lee said, “The entire country is in a very precarious situation, to the extent that raising social distancing to level 3 is being considered. Please join us in creating a ‘3-No Gwangju’ this year-end and New Year’s holiday, with no gatherings or outings, no violations of quarantine rules, and thus no confirmed cases.”

He added, “Amid 20 confirmed cases in Jeollanam-do and Jeollabuk-do originating from the Gyeongsangbuk-do Gyeongsan Open Door Prayer Center, we are currently checking whether any citizens attended the revival meeting at that time. Citizens who have visited the Gyeongsan Open Door Prayer Center and Sangju BTJ Yeolbam Center gatherings are requested to visit screening clinics immediately and undergo COVID-19 diagnostic testing.”

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