Gwangju Mayor Lee Yong-seop Urges "Voluntary Compliance with Quarantine Rules and Social Distancing"

Gwangju City Maintains 'Phase 1 of Daily Recovery' and Implements Special Quarantine Measures for 4 Weeks

Strengthening Quarantine at Senior Leisure and Welfare Facilities such as Senior Centers and Welfare Centers

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Gwangju Metropolitan City will maintain the current ‘Step 1 of Daily Recovery’ while implementing special quarantine measures for four weeks.

According to Gwangju City on the 30th, there were 909 confirmed cases this month, accounting for 14.4% of the total 6,285 cumulative confirmed cases. This is the highest monthly record.

Among the confirmed cases, vulnerable groups such as those under 10 and those over 60 account for half.

There were 272 confirmed cases among adolescents and children, who have low vaccination rates and high activity levels, accounting for 30% of the total, and 260 cases (28.6%) among the elderly aged 60 and over, who were prioritized for vaccination.

Due to continuous mutations of the coronavirus, the infection rate is accelerating, and the immune effect in the elderly aged 60 and over decreases from 3 to 4 months after vaccination, resulting in an estimated 486 breakthrough infection cases (53.4%) this month.

Also, confirmed cases occurred in 52 daycare centers, kindergartens, elementary, middle, and high schools this month, prompting the city to work with the Gwangju Metropolitan Office of Education on countermeasures.

First, quarantine will be strengthened at senior leisure and welfare facilities such as senior centers and welfare centers for the elderly. Entry to facilities is allowed only for those who have completed the third booster vaccination, and unvaccinated workers are required to undergo PCR testing once a week.

Visitors are generally prohibited from entering, and only those who have received the booster can participate in face-to-face programs. Unvaccinated individuals or those who have not received the booster can only participate in online non-face-to-face programs.

According to government announcements, eating and drinking inside movie theaters composed only of fully vaccinated individuals will also be temporarily suspended.

Additionally, the validity period of the current vaccine pass is set to six months, and in the future, young and middle-aged adults (18?49 years old) will also be included as targets for booster vaccinations.

The number of confirmed patients receiving home treatment will also gradually increase. Currently, the bed occupancy rate in the Gwangju area is about 70%, which is relatively stable, but as confirmed cases continue to rise, countermeasures are needed.

Accordingly, the city has decided to align with the government’s ‘home treatment principle.’ Currently, 61 confirmed patients are receiving home treatment in the Gwangju area.

Mayor Lee Yong-seop stated, “Overall, the proportion of group infections is decreasing, and sporadic contact infections centered on close family and acquaintances are increasing,” adding, “Along with the stepwise daily recovery, active economic activities, private gatherings, and various events are loosening quarantine measures.”

He continued, “It has also been confirmed that many facilities are not properly following quarantine rules such as entry log writing, vaccine pass verification, and maintaining a 1-meter distance,” emphasizing, “For the success of daily recovery, it is time for all citizens to unite through voluntary responsibility in quarantine.”

He added, “In particular, I earnestly ask for thorough compliance with quarantine rules and voluntary social distancing such as refraining from unnecessary gatherings during the year-end and New Year holidays, when various meetings and increased movement are expected.”

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