Jeju Island and Daegu Flight Suspensions Proposed... Strong Measures Amid COVID-19 Emergency

On the afternoon of the 18th, domestic riding horses are resting on a snow-covered pasture at the National Institute of Animal Science, Jeju Rural Development Administration.

As the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) spreads uncontrollably in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions, Jeju Province is considering a 'strong measure' to suspend flights to Daegu.

Jeju Province announced on the 22nd that since both individuals showing COVID-19 symptoms in the province recently visited Daegu, they are pushing for strong measures such as temporarily suspending the Jeju-Daegu flight route.

The province expressed concerns about community transmission of COVID-19 increasing and the possibility of further infections or spread through airplanes, and has requested the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to temporarily suspend flights on the Jeju-Daegu route.

Additionally, they have asked all airlines to broadcast in-flight announcements containing COVID-19 prevention guidelines and reporting information on flights departing from and arriving at Jeju starting from the 24th until the COVID-19 situation is resolved.

Previously, to prevent the inflow of COVID-19 from China, Jeju Province requested a temporary suspension of the visa-free entry system in Jeju, which the government accepted, leading to a temporary halt of the visa-free entry system to Jeju.

The province also expressed concerns about the possibility of Shincheonji church members who visited the Shincheonji Daegu Church, where a cluster of COVID-19 cases occurred, being present in the province. Following on-site inspections of Shincheonji churches, they strongly requested the Shincheonji central organization to provide a list of Shincheonji members in Jeju.

Furthermore, cooperation letters to prevent the spread of COVID-19 were sent to 788 religious facilities in Jeju (420 Protestant churches, 293 Buddhist temples, 28 Catholic churches, 18 Won Buddhism temples, 15 Suun churches, and 14 others).