Jeonnam Province Maintains 7-Day Quarantine Period for COVID-19 Confirmed Cases

Infection-Vulnerable Facility Quarantine Measures Eased... Reduced Preemptive Testing for Workers and Allowed Visits

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Jeonnam Province will extend the current 7-day mandatory isolation period for COVID-19 confirmed cases by 4 weeks starting from the 20th, in accordance with government policy, and will ease quarantine measures for infection-vulnerable facilities.

Although the government notes that the current COVID-19 outbreak situation is improving, it decided to maintain the mandatory isolation period as it predicts a resurgence of cases upon lifting isolation requirements and expects the number of confirmed cases nationwide to rise to 140,000 by the end of August. The period will be re-evaluated and adjusted every 4 weeks going forward.

At the same time, quarantine measures for infection-vulnerable facilities such as nursing hospitals and facilities, and psychiatric hospitals and facilities have been reorganized.

Considering the fatigue of workers and the low positivity rate (0.1%), the proactive testing for workers, which currently involves twice-weekly polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests and rapid antigen tests, will be reduced to once-weekly PCR testing.

For new admissions and entries, proactive testing previously required two PCR tests on the first and third days with a 4-day isolation period. Going forward, only one test will be conducted upon admission, and if confirmed negative, immediate admission or entry will be allowed.

Face-to-face visits were previously limited to vaccinated individuals and those with a history of confirmed infection, but from now on, visits can be conducted without separate restrictions.

The number of visitors, previously limited to 4 people, will now be determined according to the institution’s circumstances. However, quarantine rules such as advance reservation systems, pre-visit testing, mask-wearing, prohibition of food consumption, and ventilation before and after visits will continue to be enforced to ensure safe visits.

The scope of allowed outings and overnight stays was previously limited to essential outpatient treatment only, but those who have received the 4th vaccination dose and those with a history of confirmed infection after at least two doses will be permitted outings and overnight stays.

However, upon return from outings or overnight stays, individuals must undergo PCR or rapid antigen testing.

External programs, previously allowed only for day and night care centers, have been expanded to all facilities. To ensure safe program operation, only instructors who have completed the 3rd vaccination dose may conduct programs, and proactive testing is required if symptoms are present.

Kim Jong-gap, Director of the Jeonnam Province Citizen Safety Office, stated, “As COVID-19 confirmed cases continue to occur, basic daily quarantine rules must be followed,” and added, “Each facility should thoroughly prepare to ensure the smooth implementation of the reorganized measures.”

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