Gwangyang-si Launches Full-Scale Response to COVID-19

Administrative Order for Strengthened Social Distancing in Gwangyang-eup, Bonggang-myeon, and Okryong-myeon Areas

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik] As of 08:00 on the 8th, Gwangyang City in Jeollanam-do reported 2 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases, raising the total to 34 cases over four days since the first positive case was confirmed on September 4th in a middle school student in Gwangyang-eup. The quarantine authorities are on high alert.

The two confirmed cases on the 8th are middle school students in the Gwangyang area who tested positive while under self-quarantine.

On September 5th, the city proactively set up a temporary mobile screening clinic at the school playground and tested all 497 students and staff.

Additionally, on September 6th and 7th (two days), a mobile screening clinic was operated at the Gwangyang-eup National Sports Center, conducting tests late into the evening for 747 people, including family members living with the students.

Jeollanam-do also urgently deployed the Happy Communication Bus (mobile temporary screening clinic) and an epidemiological investigation team.

In response to the cluster infection at a local school, the city implemented a strengthened social distancing administrative order from 00:00 on September 7th to 24:00 on September 13th (one week) covering Gwangyang-eup, Bonggang-myeon, and Okryong-myeon to prevent and block the spread of community infections.

Until September 10th, elementary, middle, and high schools in the Gwangyang-eup area switched to remote classes (except for 3rd-year high school students). For the affected middle school, ▲1st-year students will continue remote classes until September 17th, and ▲2nd and 3rd-year students until September 10th.

This administrative order is based on Jeollanam-do’s social distancing level 3 but includes additional measures for further strengthening.

Public facilities frequently used by many people, such as sports facilities, libraries, senior centers, and welfare facilities for the disabled, will be closed. Other densely populated social welfare facilities that cannot be closed will operate under separate quarantine plans established by the responsible departments.

Private gatherings are allowed up to 8 people including those fully vaccinated (up to 4 people if not fully vaccinated), but individuals are strongly advised to refrain from activities and stay at home.

Meanwhile, the city is making every effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the community.

At the COVID-19 Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting held on the morning of September 8th, chaired by Deputy Mayor Kim Kyung-ho and attended by heads of towns, townships, and departments, emphasis was placed on thorough on-site inspections and generous support to ensure compliance with quarantine rules in student-related facilities to wisely overcome this cluster infection crisis.

Deputy Mayor Kim Kyung-ho strongly urged, “Please refrain from going out as much as possible, and if you visit other regions or come into contact with outsiders, be sure to get tested at a screening clinic. Even if you are vaccinated, please wear a mask at all times.”

Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik hss79@asiae.co.kr

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