Confirmed cases allowed to go out from 5:50 PM... "Go straight home after voting"

Voting available from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
KF94 mask and gloves must be worn

On the 5th, COVID-19 confirmed patients and those in quarantine received ballots to participate in early voting. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki Ha-young] On the 9th, the day of the 20th presidential election, COVID-19 confirmed and quarantined voters are allowed to go out from 5:50 PM. They can vote between 6:00 PM and 7:30 PM, after the general voters have finished voting. Unlike early voting, they will vote by directly placing the ballot into the ballot box, and must return immediately to their quarantine location after voting.

The early voting method for confirmed and quarantined voters is summarized in a Q&A format.

- When are confirmed and quarantined voters allowed to go out?

▲ On the election day, the 9th, confirmed and quarantined voters are allowed to go out from 5:50 PM. They must use walking, private cars, or quarantine taxis to get to the polling station, and public transportation is not allowed. The original time was 5:30 PM, but considering the possibility of late closing for general voters, the going-out permission time was delayed by 20 minutes. However, transportation-vulnerable persons living in rural and fishing villages can go out from 5:30 PM as per the existing policy.

- What are the voting hours for confirmed and quarantined voters on election day?

▲ Voting is possible from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM on the 9th. Voters who arrive at the polling station by 7:30 PM can vote. However, voting is only allowed after all general voters have left the polling station, so depending on delays at each polling station, voters may have to wait in a separate waiting area.

- Where and how do they vote?

▲ Unlike early voting, confirmed and quarantined voters use the official polling booths instead of temporary booths. They do not hand the ballot paper to the election staff but directly insert it into the ballot box used by general voters.

- What should be prepared in advance for voting?

▲ An ID card and the going-out guidance message or confirmation/quarantine notification message received from the public health center are required. The public health center plans to send out going-out guidance messages, including "precautions when going out," twice on the 9th, at noon and 4 PM, to guide confirmed and quarantined voters. Also, to prevent infection, except when verifying identity, voters must wear a KF94 or equivalent or higher mask and disposable gloves.

- What if confirmed positive on election day?

▲ Newly confirmed and quarantined persons on the day will also receive confirmation/quarantine notifications along with going-out guidance messages. Even if they do not receive the going-out guidance message, they can vote by presenting confirmation messages received from medical institutions.

- What if the rapid antigen test is positive but PCR results have not yet been received?

▲ If not confirmed positive by PCR test, voters can vote during the general voting hours (6:00 AM to 6:00 PM). However, even general voters with fever or respiratory symptoms should inform election staff and follow instructions when voting.

- Can voters visit other places after voting?

▲ After voting, voters must immediately return to their quarantine location. Buying coffee at takeout shops or withdrawing cash from ATMs is prohibited. Violating this may result in penalties for violating self-quarantine, including imprisonment of up to one year or a fine of up to 10 million KRW. At 7:30 PM, when voting closes, local governments will send return guidance messages collectively.

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