Participants of Seoul Gwanghwamun Rally, Introduction of Anonymous Testing ... Mandatory Mask Wearing (Comprehensive)

On the 20th, as the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection has recorded three digits for the tenth consecutive day, office workers wearing masks are heading to work at the Sejongno intersection in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

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[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] As the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) continues to rise from the Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, and the Gwanghwamun rally, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has decided to introduce 'anonymous testing.'

Seo Jeong-hyeop, Acting Mayor of Seoul (Head of the Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters), held an online briefing on the afternoon of the 23rd and said, "Participants who attended the Gwanghwamun rally on the 15th and visitors to the nearby area at that time must all undergo COVID-19 diagnostic testing by the 26th," adding, "To increase the testing rate, we will reintroduce anonymous testing, which was first attempted during the Itaewon club cluster infection."

Acting Mayor Seo explained, "Although real-name testing is the principle, those who do not wish to disclose their personal information for various reasons can participate in the test by only providing their mobile phone number."

On the 21st, Seoul City received 10,576 mobile phone numbers confirmed near Gwanghwamun on the 15th through the quarantine authorities. After removing duplicate numbers, the actual survey target was 6,949 cases, which are currently being fully investigated. As of the 22nd, about 80% of these have been surveyed by phone, and only 1,622 cases, or 29.3% of the target group, have undergone diagnostic testing. So far, 17 of these have tested positive.

Acting Mayor Seo said, "There were about 1,300 cases where calls were not answered or were refused," and added, "For these individuals, we plan to take strict measures such as direct visits or forced investigations with the cooperation of the National Police Agency." He also emphasized, "If related persons do not undergo diagnostic testing by the 26th, we will charge the full cost of treatment if they test positive and hold them accountable by claiming damages if further spread occurs."

Regarding the cluster infection at Sarang Jeil Church, testing has been completed for a total of 2,093 people. The church’s membership list, worship attendees, church duty staff list, and minutes of the August 15 event planning meetings secured by Seoul City are currently being jointly epidemiologically investigated by the Central Disease Control Headquarters, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and the National Police Agency. Additional confirmed lists are being promptly instructed to undergo testing.

Acting Mayor Seo stated, "We are also focusing on securing evidence for future legal action against Sarang Jeil Church," and said, "Even today, Sunday, we are conducting on-site inspections of 3,500 churches, and for churches that forcibly hold on-site worship services, we will take strong administrative actions such as assembly bans and prosecutions."

Along with this, starting from midnight today, Seoul will mandate mask-wearing indoors throughout the city and outdoors where large gatherings such as performances occur.

Additionally, for multi-use facilities currently under assembly restriction orders conditional on compliance with quarantine rules, a 'one strike out system' will be implemented, whereby a single violation of quarantine rules will result in an immediate two-week assembly ban. This applies to approximately 58,300 places, including academies with fewer than 300 people, general restaurants over 150㎡, water parks, movie theaters, and performance halls.

Regarding residential treatment centers for isolating and treating confirmed patients, in addition to the 765 beds at Namsan Youth Hostel, Taereung Training Center, KEPCO Human Resources Development Institute, and Eunpyeong Fire Academy,

three additional residential treatment centers with 900 beds will be secured and operated starting next week at Mullae-dong Youth Hostel, Icheon Defense Language Institute, and one public facility in Gyeonggi Province.

Acting Mayor Seo urged, "If the nationwide risk of a second large-scale outbreak continues and the current situation persists, transitioning to Level 3 social distancing will be inevitable, which would practically paralyze the economy and society," and asked citizens to "control their daily lives by refraining from going out and meeting others and avoid face-to-face interactions."

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