Heo Seok, Mayor of Suncheon, Issues Statement on Strengthened COVID-19 Social Distancing Measures

Prohibition of gatherings after 9 PM at all facilities including restaurants, karaoke rooms, and indoor sports facilities
Strict enforcement with criminal charges, fines, and civil and criminal claims for violations of quarantine rules

On the 3rd, Heo Seok, Mayor of Suncheon, announced a public statement to citizens regarding the additional 13 confirmed COVID-19 cases.

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] Suncheon City reported 13 additional COVID-19 confirmed cases at the beginning of the new year.

Mayor Heo Seok of Suncheon expressed concerns that the current situation could escalate into a third crisis and on the 3rd issued a so-called Level 2 + @(Alpha) administrative order, adding strengthened social distancing measures for certain facilities and industries.

Furthermore, following government guidelines that local governments cannot ease these measures at their discretion and the announcement from the Central Disease Control Headquarters, the enhanced social distancing has been extended for two weeks from tomorrow until the 17th.

Starting at midnight tomorrow, Suncheon City will apply stricter standards than the government's Level 2 measures to restaurants, cinemas, performance halls, reading rooms, and study cafes.

An administrative order banning alcohol sales (so-called daytime drinking) in restaurants from around 5 a.m. to 4 p.m. has been issued.

Additionally, all facilities including restaurants, karaoke rooms, and indoor sports facilities that previously operated until around 10 p.m. must shorten their hours by one hour, prohibiting gatherings after approximately 9 p.m.

Cafes are only allowed takeout and delivery during all business hours, and restaurants may only offer delivery after around 9 p.m.

To ensure the effectiveness of the administrative order, Suncheon City has organized continuous day and night inspection teams to strengthen guidance and enforcement. Violators of quarantine rules will be strictly dealt with under the principle of zero tolerance, including criminal charges, fines, and claims for compensation under relevant laws.

Mayor Heo stated, “During the first and second crisis situations, we took preemptive and strengthened quarantine measures more than any other region nationwide, enduring hardship with civic spirit to maintain the current stable situation. However, I feel anxiety and a sense of crisis that this could collapse due to irresponsible actions by some self-employed individuals, groups, and a few individuals, as well as cunning business practices disguised as legal operations.”

“The 202nd confirmed case in Suncheon, which occurred the previous day, evaded epidemiological investigation without justifiable reason, visited religious facilities where cluster infections are rapidly spreading, lied during the investigation, and deliberately concealed and omitted facts. We will file charges today according to relevant regulations,” he said.

He also added, “Despite the administrative order banning in-person worship services, K Church in Seomun-dong, D Church in Deokyeon-dong, and J Church in Shindae forcibly held in-person services, causing 84 people to be quarantined and resulting in administrative and financial losses. We will immediately file charges and consider claims for compensation.”

Meanwhile, “A restaurant located in Jorye-dong cleverly exploited the administrative order restricting business from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. by operating from around 5 a.m., which became an issue on the internet and drew nationwide criticism. We will mobilize all administrative power to strongly sanction business activities that violate quarantine rules and mock administrative orders,” he stated.

Cases of nationwide spread are increasing as people hide visits to the BTJ World Center in Sangju, Gyeongbuk, and the Intercop Mission Center in Ulsan last November and last month and fail to undergo diagnostic tests. Therefore, Suncheon City has issued an administrative order requiring diagnostic testing by the 5th.

Strong measures will be taken if testing is not completed by the 5th.

Mayor Heo said, “At this difficult time when everyone is enduring hardships, we will respond strongly without exception to individuals and groups who violate quarantine rules without considering the pain and damage to the entire community.” He asked everyone to remember that “violating social distancing quarantine rules threatens the safety of myself, my family, friends, acquaintances, and our community” and to strictly comply with the quarantine rules.

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