Gyeongbuk Province Expands Social Distancing Pilot to Yeongju and Mungyeong Cities...Easing Private Gathering Restrictions

Expanded from 12 Military Areas to 14 Cities and Counties

The photo shows Lee Cheol-woo, Governor of Gyeongbuk Province, announcing on April 23 that a pilot program for the revised social distancing measures will be implemented for the first time nationwide in 12 counties with populations under 100,000.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Jae-ho] Gyeongbuk Province announced on the 21st that from 0:00 on the 24th, it will expand the implementation of the revised social distancing plan, in consultation with the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, to Yeongju City and Mungyeong City, where COVID-19 has stabilized.

Accordingly, the revised social distancing plan will be expanded from 12 counties in Gyeongbuk Province to include Yeongju City and Mungyeong City, increasing the total to 14 cities and counties.

Previously, Governor Lee Cheol-woo proposed the pilot implementation of the revised plan to the government for the first time nationwide, and it has been piloted in 12 counties since April 26. In these 12 counties, a total of 24 cases occurred over the past 26 days, averaging 0.9 cases per day.

In Juwangsan-myeon, Cheongsong County, 9 confirmed cases occurred on the 7th due to contact with confirmed cases from the metropolitan area, but the adjustment of social distancing levels prevented further spread. According to Gyeongbuk Province’s self-assessment, since the pilot implementation, the 12 counties have seen increased sales in self-employed businesses such as restaurants and cafes, achieving the dual effect of infection control and revitalization of the local economy.

Gyeongbuk Province explained that after reviewing the expansion to 11 cities and counties where the plan was not implemented, it extended the plan to Yeongju City and Mungyeong City, where COVID-19 has stabilized. In May, Yeongju City recorded a total of 8 cases, averaging 0.4 cases per day, and Mungyeong City recorded a total of 5 cases, averaging 0.2 cases per day.

Governor Lee Cheol-woo stated, "The pilot implementation of social distancing has revived the livelihoods of ordinary people, and the expansion to Yeongju City and Mungyeong City will further activate the local economy," adding, "We will not loosen our grip on infection control to balance quarantine and the economy."

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