Jeonnam Province Implements 'Special Quarantine Strengthening' Including Ban on Gatherings of Five or More People

[Muan=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Jeonnam Province announced on the 22nd that following the operation of the special quarantine period for the year-end and New Year holidays, it will additionally implement special measures to strengthen quarantine for high-risk facilities starting from the 24th.

The government has decided to implement special measures to strengthen quarantine nationwide for high-risk facilities, gatherings, parties, tourism, and travel from the 24th of this month until January 3rd of next year. These measures will be applied simultaneously across all regions nationwide.

With over 1,000 COVID-19 cases occurring daily nationwide, the government will expand proactive testing for high-risk facilities such as nursing hospitals, care facilities, and psychiatric hospitals at two-week intervals, and religious activities such as regular worship services, masses, Buddhist ceremonies, and memorial services will be conducted online as a principle.

Additionally, private gatherings of five or more people are prohibited, restaurant reservations for groups of five or more are banned, and party rooms, which are frequently used as venues for private gatherings and parties, are also prohibited from assembly.

Winter leisure facilities such as ski resorts and sledding parks will also be prohibited from assembly, hotel and lodging reservations will be limited to half capacity, and sunrise tourism sites will be closed, significantly strengthening quarantine management.

In this regard, the province plans to actively negotiate with the central government by proposing exemption from cancellation fees for lodging reservations and support measures for facilities with restricted operations.

Especially, with Christmas, year-end, and holidays continuing, the period until January 3rd next year has been designated as the ‘Year-end and New Year Special Quarantine Period’ to block the spread of infections caused by small gatherings and religious events mainly among young people.

Accordingly, Jeonnam Province, city and county offices, the police agency, and the education office will jointly inspect compliance with quarantine rules before and after Christmas and strictly respond to any violations.

Kang Young-gu, Director of Health and Welfare Bureau of Jeonnam Province, said, “The nationwide increase in confirmed cases is spreading the epidemic, making the situation very serious,” and urged, “Residents should maintain the highest level of vigilance by canceling family and acquaintance small gatherings and workplace dinners, refraining from visiting other regions such as the metropolitan area, participating in religious activities online, and especially wearing masks at all times.”

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