Prime Minister Jeong: "Temporary Screening Clinics Operation Extended for 2 Weeks"… Until the 17th of Next Month

29th COVID-19 Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters Meeting
Instructions to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters to "Prepare Thoroughly Against the UK-Origin Variant Virus"

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun is delivering opening remarks at the 'Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters Meeting for COVID-19' held on the 29th at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun announced on the 29th, "The operation of temporary screening clinics, which was scheduled to end on the 3rd of next month, will be extended for two more weeks."

At the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH) meeting held at the Government Seoul Office that day, Prime Minister Chung said, "It has been two weeks since proactive testing was conducted at temporary screening clinics in major metropolitan areas, and it is evaluated that there have been results in preventing the spread of infection."

He added, "The government will extend the operation of temporary screening clinics, which was scheduled to end on the 3rd of next month, for two more weeks," and urged, "The quarantine authorities and each local government should secure sufficient personnel and budget, and if deemed necessary by each local government, expand the installation of temporary screening clinics."

Prime Minister Chung emphasized the need for thorough preparation as the variant virus from the United Kingdom was confirmed in South Korea two days ago.

He said, "The Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH) should meticulously inspect and supplement the quarantine system once again to ensure that variant viruses from high-risk countries do not enter without gaps," and added, "I hope that preventive guidelines will be provided in advance to our citizens returning from high-risk countries to prevent infection."

Regarding the fact that over 200 additional confirmed cases were reported at the Seoul Eastern Detention Center, Prime Minister Chung expressed regret, saying, "I am sorry."

He stated, "Yesterday, 233 additional confirmed cases were reported at the Seoul Eastern Detention Center, and so far, 757 infections have been confirmed at this location alone," and added, "I feel sorry that a large-scale group infection occurred in government correctional facilities."

He also urged caution against business operators who violate quarantine rules and operate secretly.

Prime Minister Chung pointed out, "Some places where quarantine measures are difficult to reach are crowded, or businesses are operating by taking advantage of lax enforcement, as pointed out by the media," and said, "This behavior causes frustration to many citizens who are enduring inconvenience and hardship to support quarantine efforts."

He concluded, "Now is the time to unite with the spirit of 'Jesim Hapryeok' (joining forces with one heart) to overcome the current crisis," and earnestly requested, "Once again, I sincerely ask for the voluntary participation of all citizens."

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