Police Report Illegal Urban Rally Participants, Imposing Compensation Fees
[Asia Economy Reporter Osangdo] To prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), the Seoul Metropolitan Government has implemented a staggered commuting system for its employees and requested participation from major corporations and institutions in the city. Approximately 42,000 employees from 25 autonomous districts and 25 city-invested and affiliated institutions will participate in the adjusted commuting hours as a priority. Additionally, Seoul plans to take measures such as police reports and fines against those who participated in illegal downtown rallies over the past weekend despite city warnings, as previously announced.
On the 24th, Mayor Park Won-soon held a press conference at the City Hall briefing room to announce seven city-level countermeasures following the government's elevation of the COVID-19 crisis level to the highest stage, "serious." Mayor Park stated, "Until now, the central government and the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have taken the lead, but with hundreds of confirmed cases emerging daily, local governments must take charge and implement quarantine measures."
Mayor Park emphasized adjusting the commuting hours of city officials to minimize social exposure. He said, "Starting today, except for personnel related to COVID-19 prevention and essential staff in each department, more than 70% of city officials will start work at 10 a.m. and leave at 7 p.m.," explaining, "This measure is to reduce congestion in public transportation facilities such as subways and buses, as COVID-19 has been confirmed to have very strong infectivity."
Regarding this, Mayor Park added, "We plan to seek cooperation from the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business, Seoul-based companies, and public and private institutions to actively participate in the staggered commuting system," and noted, "I have already spoken with Park Yong-man, chairman of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and agreed to cooperate."
Seoul has expanded its field epidemiological investigation team from 4 teams with 24 members to 16 teams with 96 members, starting operations from today. Seoul Medical Center and Seonam Hospital have been designated as "infectious disease management institutions," securing 413 beds after transferring inpatients to other hospitals. A total of more than 900 beds will be secured in the future. Child-exclusive screening clinics will also operate at Seoul Medical Center and Boramae Hospital. The 25 public health centers will completely suspend their existing medical functions and focus on COVID-19 response.
Mayor Park said, "We will also establish a cooperative system to allow severe patients from Daegu and Gyeongbuk to use negative pressure rooms in the city." It is reported that Seoul currently has 51 negative pressure rooms and 31 negative pressure wards.
Seoul plans to conduct intensive quarantine measures for facilities related to the Shincheonji Church and Eunpyeong St. Mary's Hospital, where hospital infections are a concern.
Mayor Park stated, "We will continue to close and disinfect 158 locations identified through the Shincheonji location notification app, 162 locations reported by the Protestant General Assembly, and 20 locations reported by citizens, verifying overlaps with existing lists."
He explained that a regular briefing on the COVID-19 response situation will be held daily at 11 a.m. to inform the media and citizens.
Referring to downtown rallies such as those at Gwanghwamun Square over the past weekend, Mayor Park warned that if rallies are forcibly held on the 29th and March 1st, measures such as forcibly dismantling facilities installed for the rallies will be taken. Furthermore, he announced that individuals whose identities are known, including Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon who held rallies despite the city's ban last week, as well as unidentified participants, will be reported to the police based on video and photo evidence collected.
Mayor Park said, "Other downtown rallies are being canceled or postponed one after another," and added, "Large rallies organized by four taxi groups and nine other organizations have already been canceled."
Meanwhile, in Seoul, 5,705 daycare centers, 495 elementary after-school care facilities, and 73 cultural and sports facilities will also be closed. City-run libraries, museums, art galleries, and the Dongdaemun Design Plaza will be fully closed starting from the 25th.
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