Due to the spread of Wuhan pneumonia... Opposition party raises voices to "consider restricting entry of Chinese nationals"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] As the novel coronavirus (Wuhan pneumonia) gradually spreads and third-generation infections have appeared, the opposition parties have raised their voices, pointing out gaps in the government's quarantine measures and calling for consideration of restrictions on Chinese nationals entering the country.

Park Yong-chan, spokesperson for the Liberty Korea Party, criticized in a statement on the 2nd, saying, "Looking at the government's response, the weaknesses in the quarantine system are revealed to be extremely sloppy."

Spokesperson Park pointed out, "The sixth confirmed case was not classified as a close contact subject to self-quarantine despite having dined with the third confirmed case, and as a result, the sixth confirmed case lived a normal life for about a week," adding, "Subsequently, two family members were additionally confirmed positive, resulting in a third-generation infection case."

He continued, "Among the entrants from Wuhan, there are still about 50 people whom the government has not yet contacted, and the government, which should use all means to verify whether entrants are infected, is complacently reporting to the public that contact has not been made. It is simply frustrating."

Spokesperson Park stated, "Experts and the media are cautiously raising opinions that entry restrictions should now be implemented. All options must be considered," and added, "We urge the government to promptly supplement the weaknesses in the quarantine system and make more meticulous efforts to prevent the spread."

Lee Jong-cheol, spokesperson for the New Conservative Party, also said in a statement that day, "The 'quarantine gap' is serious," and "a more proactive and comprehensive response is necessary." He criticized the government, saying, "The United States recommended banning travel to China, resulting in a complete suspension of flights to China and banning foreigners who have been to China from entering. Russia has closed some borders, and North Korea has completely closed its borders, but our country, which receives 20,000 entrants daily, has not presented any measures at all."

He added, "On the contrary, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, who promoted Chinese tourists to come to safe Korea during this gap, seems to have disappeared like a mouse hiding in a hole," and said, "All options, including restrictions and bans on entry and exit to and from China, must be reviewed from multiple angles, and a more agile and comprehensive response must be taken."

Meanwhile, according to major foreign media, 45 additional deaths were reported in Hubei Province, China, on the 1st, bringing the death toll from Wuhan pneumonia in China to over 300. On the 2nd, a death from Wuhan pneumonia occurred in the Philippines, marking the first death outside China.