[Photo] COVID-19 Response Discussion... Dobong-gu Parish Council Meeting Held

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Dobong-gu (Mayor Dong-jin Lee) held an emergency meeting on the 26th in the mayor's office with seven executives of the Dobong-gu Religious Council to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the region amid the increasing number of confirmed cases.

At this meeting, Mayor Dong-jin Lee requested that religious organizations in the area actively cooperate in preventive activities to minimize the spread of infectious diseases, as COVID-19 is rapidly spreading in local governments across Seoul.

He especially asked for restraint in worship services and gatherings at multi-use religious facilities, urging thorough hygiene management including preventive measures such as disinfection and sterilization within religious facilities, provision of hand sanitizers, hand washing, and wearing masks.

Churches are actively considering canceling or reducing early morning services, overnight services, and Wednesday services to prevent the spread of COVID-19, replacing large gatherings with video worship (online) services.

Additionally, 135 Catholic churches in Seoul have suspended Mass until March 10, the Jogye Order has suspended services until March 20, and the Saam Federation (41 temples) has suspended Dharma assemblies until March 15.

The district requested all religious facilities in the area on the 24th to refrain from worship services or gatherings.

Furthermore, 57 elderly care facilities are restricting and controlling visits from outsiders until the COVID-19 outbreak is contained, conducting temperature checks, hand sanitization, and mask-wearing for all entrants.

Also, text messages with COVID-19 prevention guidelines have been sent to all residents, along with notices regarding prolonged facility closures. Private sports facilities and fitness centers, totaling 276 locations, have been advised to stock preventive supplies and conduct voluntary disinfection.

Mayor Dong-jin Lee of Dobong-gu said, “We ask for deep understanding from the religious community and residents as we request restraint in religious events to prevent COVID-19 from spreading in the community, and we ask for active participation and cooperation to stop the spread of COVID-19.”