Jeonju City Raises Social Distancing to Level 4

From 12:00 AM on the 27th of this month until September 9

[Jeonju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Han-ho] Jeonju City has decided to raise social distancing from the current level 3 to level 4.

On the 25th, Jeonju Mayor Kim Seung-su held an emergency briefing at the city hall briefing room and said, "Despite strong quarantine measures, the recent spread of COVID-19 is rapidly increasing," adding, "If we fail to stop the spread immediately, it will surely lead to greater damage. Therefore, from 0:00 on the 27th to 24:00 on September 9, social distancing will be raised to level 4."

This upgrade to social distancing level 4 is a measure taken after a total of 119 confirmed cases, with a daily maximum of 26 cases (on the 23rd), occurred over the past week (18th to 24th), as infections spread from confirmed cases in restaurants, cafes, and entertainment facilities to acquaintances and family members.

Mayor Kim added that considering the fact that new confirmed cases exceeded 20 for the past three days (21 on the 22nd, 26 on the 23rd, and 24 on the 24th), the Delta variant has become the dominant strain, and the number of screening tests has surged, this decision was made as a preemptive response to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

When social distancing is raised to level 4, quarantine rules will be further strengthened, such as limiting private gatherings to two people or fewer after 6 p.m.

Additionally, five types of entertainment facilities including nightclubs, colatecs, karaoke bars, and emotional pubs, as well as dance halls, hold'em pubs, and hold'em game rooms, will be completely banned from gathering. Large marts, singing practice rooms, PC rooms, bathhouses, arcades, movie theaters, and academies will only be allowed to operate until 10 p.m.

Religious facilities will be allowed to hold worship services and religious gatherings with up to 10% of their capacity, with a maximum of 99 people, but other events, meals, and accommodations are completely prohibited.

All indoor and outdoor public sports facilities operated by Jeonju City will also be temporarily closed.

However, private gatherings of up to four people will still be allowed from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. as before, and essential facilities such as welfare facilities for the disabled, senior day care centers, and daycare centers will not be closed but will have strengthened quarantine measures including personnel restrictions.

In line with the strengthened social distancing measures, Jeonju City plans to organize a special inspection team consisting of 188 members in 94 groups across 6 divisions to thoroughly check compliance with quarantine rules at multi-use facilities.

In particular, if facilities subject to gathering bans violate quarantine rules by opening or if confirmed cases occur, the city will strictly hold them accountable by claiming compensation.

Mayor Kim Seung-su said, "I sincerely comfort and thank the citizens who actively cooperate with quarantine measures despite the difficult daily life," and emphasized, "Please unite your hearts so that we can protect ourselves, our families, and our neighbors in this difficult and long fight."

Jeonju=Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Han-ho stonepeak@asiae.co.kr

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