[Q&A] "Strengthening Quarantine Management in Entertainment Venues... Unannounced On-site Inspections"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] On the 9th, the government emphasized that although the daily number of new COVID-19 cases has dropped to the 30s, risk factors still remain.

Kim Kang-lip, the 1st General Coordinator of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Vice Minister of Health and Welfare), said at a regular briefing held at the Government Complex Sejong on the same day, "Since the 31st patient was confirmed on February 18 and the number of new patients increased to 53 thereafter, it has been about 50 days until the number of confirmed cases first reached the 30s," and made the statement.

Coordinator Kim said, "This is thanks to all members of our society doing their best in their respective roles," but added, "There are still risk factors remaining."

The government pointed out the possibility that inbound travelers before the implementation of mandatory self-quarantine for all arrivals could act as sources of infection, as well as sporadic cluster infections in academies and entertainment facilities as risk factors.

Coordinator Kim said, "It is important to block possible transmission of infection from inbound travelers who arrived before April 1 and are only under self-management app monitoring or active surveillance until their incubation period ends." He added, "It is also important to cut the links of sporadic cluster infections that continue to occur mainly in academies and entertainment facilities in the metropolitan area."

He stated that securing the government's quarantine network control is the ultimate goal. Coordinator Kim said, "Social distancing blocks the transmission routes of COVID-19, preventing secondary infections from unidentified infected patients and breaking the chain of the epidemic," and added, "The ultimate goal is to minimize infections and secure the control of the quarantine network where most new infections occur only among people under quarantine or isolation."

◇Below is a Q&A with Coordinator Kim regarding the domestic COVID-19 situation

- How is the trend of overseas arrivals after April 1?

▲ Recently, the number of foreign arrivals from abroad fluctuates daily between 1,000 and 1,500. Among all arrivals, 20-30% are short-term foreign visitors (staying less than 90 days). Within that range, (once visa exemptions and visa-free entry suspensions are implemented) the number will be just over 300.

- Yesterday, the government issued a recommendation to suspend academy operations and an administrative order to comply with quarantine guidelines. How is this different from the Ministry of Education's earlier recommendation for temporary closure of frontline academies?

▲ If academies do not comply with the Ministry of Education's recommendation for temporary closure, a prohibition order on gatherings and assemblies can be issued under Article 49, Paragraph 1, Subparagraph 2 of the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act. If academies fail to implement quarantine measures and do not follow necessary administrative guidance or orders, a fine of 3 million won can be imposed as a penalty.

- After Gangnam, sporadic cluster infection risks have been detected in pubs in Itaewon and Seorae Village. What is the response?

▲ We are also promoting measures to strengthen controls on entertainment establishments. We will conduct surprise on-site inspections focusing on places active during business hours to ensure effective measures are implemented. Additionally, there is a hygiene establishment monitoring group centered on consumers. We are currently planning to reinforce personnel and strengthen guidance for entertainment establishments and pubs.