Patient 15 Dined with Relatives During Self-Quarantine... Authorities Confirm Rule Violation (Comprehensive)

Under Review for Filing Charges After Consultation with Local Government

On the 11th, a citizen wearing a mask is passing in front of the screening clinic at the National Medical Center in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] It has been confirmed that the 15th domestic patient of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) had a meal with the 20th patient, who is his sister-in-law, during self-quarantine, and the authorities are reviewing whether to file charges based on the violation of related guidelines.

Jung Eun-kyung, Director of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC), confirmed at a regular briefing on the 14th, "It is true that the 15th patient had a meal with the 20th patient, who is a relative, during self-quarantine." Kwak Jin, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH) epidemiological investigation and patient management team, explained, "The 15th and 20th patients live in the same building on different floors," adding, "The 15th patient lives on the 4th floor, the 20th patient on the 3rd floor, and they had a meal together on the 3rd floor." He further explained, "Since they are not cohabiting family members, this constitutes a violation of self-quarantine guidelines."

According to the CDSCH, individuals under self-quarantine must live alone in a separate space and eat alone according to the guidelines. Even if unavoidable communication with family occurs, they must maintain a distance of at least 1 meter while wearing masks and avoid face-to-face contact. If these guidelines are clearly violated, a fine of 3 million KRW can be imposed under the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act.

Director Jung stated, "Since the 15th and 20th patients shared living spaces in the same building, it seems it was difficult to strictly maintain self-quarantine," and added, "We will consult with local governments regarding these circumstances and the contact situation to decide on whether to proceed with filing charges."

The 15th patient was a suspected case who entered from Wuhan, China, and had been under self-quarantine since the 29th of last month. On the 1st at 2 p.m., he visited a public health center screening clinic due to respiratory symptoms, was tested, and confirmed positive on the 2nd. The day he ate with his sister-in-law was the 1st of this month. The sister-in-law was confirmed as the 20th patient four days after the meal.

Director Jung also stated, "During the 2015 MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) outbreak, about two people were reported for violating self-quarantine guidelines, and one person was confirmed to have been fined 3 million KRW."