Gwangju City Extends Social Distancing for 3 Weeks Until May 2

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] Gwangju Metropolitan City will extend social distancing level 1.5 for an additional three weeks.

Gwangju City announced on the 9th that it will extend social distancing level 1.5 from the 12th of this month to the 2nd of next month, but if the nationwide weekly daily average number of confirmed cases exceeds 800, it plans to adjust to level 2.

Accordingly, the ban on private gatherings of five or more people and exceptions for cohabiting and direct family members, formal meetings, and infants will be maintained.

The city decided to further strengthen the compliance of basic quarantine rules by managers and users of multi-use facilities.

These include ▲mandatory mask-wearing ▲management of visitor logs ▲regular disinfection and ventilation ▲prohibition of food consumption ▲symptom checks and entry restrictions ▲designation and operation of quarantine managers ▲posting and guidance of quarantine rules and usage limits.

The city explained that violations of quarantine rules will be strictly enforced under a zero-tolerance policy, including fines and bans on gatherings.

Quarantine management will also be strengthened for facilities with a high risk of infection.

High-risk workplaces such as call centers, logistics centers, 3-dense manufacturing industries, dormitory-type factories, and meat processing companies will be specially managed.

Regarding churches, the city conducted a comprehensive inspection of dormitory-type prayer centers, missionary centers, religious education facilities, and religious facilities outside of denominations, which were specially managed since February, and strengthened quarantine management to prevent small gatherings, meals, and lodging, actively taking action against violations of quarantine rules.

Childcare centers have strengthened quarantine management by starting proactive testing for childcare staff from the 1st of this month.

The city expanded the testing functions of existing public health center screening clinics to efficiently block community infection and allow convenient testing. Testing of asymptomatic individuals is permitted regardless of distancing level, region, symptoms, or epidemiological classification.

Temporary screening clinics have also been installed to facilitate testing, with active support for testing costs. Testing is available regardless of distancing level or region.

Park Hyang, Director of Welfare and Health Bureau of Gwangju City, said, “The recent situation is a dangerous and serious period entering the 4th wave, so we ask citizens to refrain from gatherings, outings, and travel and minimize personal contact,” adding, “Those who visit hospitals or pharmacies with symptoms such as cough or fever and are recommended diagnostic tests by medical staff should be sure to get tested at the nearest public health center screening clinic.”

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