Gwangju City Appeals to Citizens to Follow Quarantine Rules Amid Year-End, New Year and Omicron Spread Crisis

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] As the Omicron COVID-19 variant spreads coinciding with the year-end and New Year holidays, Gwangju Metropolitan City has urged compliance with quarantine rules.

On the 29th, Kim Jonghyo, Deputy Mayor of Gwangju, said in an appeal to citizens, "Let us protect the Gwangju community through thorough adherence to quarantine rules."

In the Gwangju area, the cumulative number of confirmed cases this month reached 1,591, with a daily average of 54.9 cases, marking the highest ever recorded.

After a confirmed case from another region visited a restaurant in Nam-gu recently, the Omicron virus, which spreads faster than the Delta variant, has been rapidly spreading.

Since the first local Omicron infection case was discovered on the 19th, 39 infections have been confirmed in just over 10 days.

In particular, among the 80 confirmed cases yesterday, 35 cases (43.8%) and among the 66 confirmed cases so far today, 24 cases (36.4%) occurred in Nam-gu, raising concerns about spread throughout Gwangju.

Given this situation, Gwangju City held a joint emergency countermeasure meeting with the city and autonomous districts on the same day.

They decided to promote measures such as smoothly supplying self-quarantine supplies using freight companies and community leaders, significantly expanding the confirmed case movement tracking team and epidemiological investigation team, and shortening response times through the establishment and operation of an emergency situation room.

Also, considering the bed occupancy rate of 71.7% with 458 beds in use out of a total of 639 beds, they plan to secure an additional 169 beds across 14 small and medium-sized hospitals.

Deputy Mayor Kim said, "If you must go out, please actively practice the three Gwangju-style daily quarantine rules: use personal plates and separate tongs in restaurants, refrain from handshakes and hugs, make a habit of greeting with a nod, and wear masks indoors and outdoors wherever two or more people gather."

He added, "Those who have not yet been vaccinated are encouraged to participate in vaccination, and those who have completed the second dose are also asked to join the third dose."

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