Hundreds Gather at Gwangju Yeomju Gymnasium for Drinking Party... Is COVID-19 Prevention Negligence Growing?

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Shin Dong-ho] Citizens' 'quarantine complacency' is increasing in the Gwangju area.

On the 23rd, according to Seo-gu, during the Chuseok holiday period, it was reported that 100 to 300 people, mainly young people in their 20s and 30s, gathered outdoors to eat on the lawn around Yeomju Sports Complex in Pungam-dong, Seo-gu.

Most of them were in groups of 3 to 4, but there were also many cases of violating quarantine rules, such as gathering in groups of five or more without vaccination to drink alcohol, or not wearing masks.

Under the current quarantine rules with social distancing level 3 in effect, it is prohibited to gather in groups of five or more outdoors to eat or drink.

Accordingly, Seo-gu and the Western Police Station jointly inspected the situation from the 21st from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m., urging citizens to return home, and Gwangju City is working to prevent recurrence by controlling vehicle access, turning off lights, and installing banners around the sports complex after 10 p.m.

In addition, on the 19th at around 11:30 p.m., confirmed case number 4727 was found to have enjoyed drinking with acquaintances at this location, causing the quarantine authorities to be on alert. Currently, an epidemiological investigation is underway to determine the infection route through the confirmed case’s group.

Seo Dae-seok, head of Seo-gu Office, posted on Facebook, "Many COVID-19 confirmed cases are occurring in Gwangju as well," and urged, "Let’s create a safe Seo-gu community together by strictly following quarantine rules."

Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Shin Dong-ho sdhs6751@asiae.co.kr

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