Confirmed Case in Jeungpyeong Who Visited Model Houses After Returning from the US... 16 Contacts

On the 27th, when enhanced quarantine measures for arrivals from the United States began, passengers arriving on a flight from Los Angeles, USA, were exiting the gate at Terminal 2 of Incheon International Airport. People with suspected COVID-19 symptoms must undergo diagnostic testing, and asymptomatic individuals are required to self-quarantine for two weeks. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] As of the 27th, it has been identified that a confirmed COVID-19 patient in Jeungpyeong, Chungbuk, who visited multiple public facilities without following the quarantine authorities' recommendation to refrain from movement after returning from the United States, came into contact with 16 people in the area.

According to Jeungpyeong County and Chungbuk Province on the same day, the 60-year-old woman who tested positive for COVID-19 on the 25th visited eight multi-use facilities in Jeungpyeong and Cheongju before her test results were released after completing specimen collection at the Jeungpyeong County Health Center that morning. Among them, 16 people were identified as close contacts.

On the morning of the 25th, after the test was completed, the woman stopped by Shinhan Bank in Jeungpyeong and then visited Jeungpyeong Post Office, a mart, and an apartment model house in succession. Twelve contacts were confirmed at these locations. She also took an airport bus from Incheon Airport to Cheongju Intercity Bus Terminal on the 24th, the day she returned from the United States. Cheongju city classified four people, including the bus driver and passengers who were nearby, as contacts. It was confirmed that there were no contacts at the four restaurants and other places she visited in Cheongju.

The government and quarantine authorities decided to mandate a two-week self-quarantine for arrivals from the United States starting at midnight on the same day. Violating quarantine rules may result in imprisonment of up to one year or a fine of up to 10 million won. Although it is difficult to hold the woman accountable since she entered before the guidelines were implemented, the local government is reportedly reviewing the possibility of punishment based on the fact that she did not follow the quarantine authorities' recommendation to refrain from movement until the test results were released after her return.