Jongno-gu Raises Crisis Response Level to 'Severe'... Full Effort on Infection Prevention Including Assembly Ban Notices

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Jongno-gu (Mayor Kim Young-jong) has raised its crisis response level to ‘serious’ following a series of confirmed COVID-19 cases, strengthening quarantine activities in multi-use facilities to prevent community transmission.

On the 21st, based on Article 49, Paragraph 1, Subparagraph 2 of the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act, the district notified multiple organizations of a ban on gatherings within downtown Jongno-gu to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

Additionally, the Jongno-gu Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters has been expanded to operate with a total of nine task forces, including two newly formed working groups: the ‘School Support Team’ and the ‘Self-Quarantine Task Force.’

This was due to the emerging need for dedicated teams following the start of elementary, middle, and high school semesters, university openings, and the transfer of self-quarantine management duties (from the Ministry of Health and Welfare to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety).

The ‘School Support Team’ establishes a close cooperative system with the Central Education Support Office, local elementary, middle, and high schools, and universities, actively monitoring the status of foreign students and providing guidance on behavioral protocols.

The ‘Self-Quarantine Task Force’ is responsible for assigning dedicated public officials to individuals in self-quarantine on a one-to-one basis, delivering medicines and daily necessities, and coordinating with health officials and the police in cases of contact loss or unauthorized departure.

Since the 20th, the district has operated a screening clinic within the public health center, and on the 28th, established the Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, holding continuous strategy meetings to respond to the spread of COVID-19. Currently, many public facilities frequently used by residents, such as libraries, welfare centers, senior centers, and sports facilities, are temporarily closed, various programs and events postponed, and Tapgol Park, a popular gathering place for the elderly, is temporarily closed.

Mayor Kim Young-jong stated, “We are mobilizing all related personnel to conduct disinfection and quarantine, and under close cooperation with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, we are sparing no effort at the community level,” adding, “We will do our best to prevent the local spread of COVID-19 and alleviate residents’ anxiety.”