Suncheon-si Promotes 'Social Distancing Campaign' to Prevent COVID-19 Spread

Encouraging Voluntary Citizen Participation Through SNS Certification Relay Promotion

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Chunsu] Suncheon City in Jeonnam announced that it held an on-site meeting on the 19th at the outdoor stage of Suncheonman National Garden to actively promote the ‘social distancing’ campaign to prevent the spread of infectious diseases until the COVID-19 situation ends and to build consensus.

About 30 people from religious circles, medical community, education sector, small business owners, neighborhood leaders, and resident autonomy participated in the on-site meeting.

‘Social distancing’ refers to reducing contact between people to block infection, including reducing face-to-face contact, online communication, refraining from using multi-use facilities, wearing masks, washing hands, and refraining from weekend gatherings. Experts say that ‘social distancing’ is more effective in preventing the spread of infectious diseases than lockdowns or quarantines.

The background for the city’s active promotion of the ‘social distancing campaign’ is the recent frequent sporadic cluster outbreaks centered on religious facilities and call centers in the metropolitan area, and the series of situations such as the additional postponement of school opening dates at all levels, which led to the judgment that ‘social distancing’ is more important than ever.

The Suncheon Medical Association, which attended the on-site meeting, emphasized, “Social distancing is the best quarantine measure, and the higher the participation rate, the more effective it is, so active participation of citizens is necessary.”

The religious community also stated, “We deeply regret the cluster infections that occurred in other regions through religious gatherings, and we will actively cooperate with ‘social distancing,’ including thorough quarantine and disinfection as well as online worship.”

Separately, the city is practicing ‘social distancing’ starting with public officials by refraining from unnecessary business trips, postponing meetings and events, installing safe partitions at civil service counters, installing partitions in cafeterias, operating staggered lunch hours, eliminating face-to-face approvals, and expanding flexible work arrangements.

In addition, Suncheon City plans to simultaneously promote an SNS (social networking service) certification relay to encourage many citizens to participate in the ‘social distancing’ campaign.

Mayor Heo Seok of Suncheon said, “Thanks to the calm and dedicated response of citizens from all walks of life, including anonymous citizens’ donations and the good landlord movement to share the pain, no additional confirmed cases have occurred, and I thank the citizens,” adding, “I ask all citizens to voluntarily participate in the social distancing campaign with mature civic awareness in this national crisis.”