Dongjak-gu, Full Effort in On-Site Inspection of High-Intensity Social Distancing Measures

Ahead of Easter, 69 out of 281 churches plan to hold services... On-site inspection on the 12th... Closure recommended for 9 large academies in Noryangjin... 4 closed until the 19th, 3 more under discussion

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Dongjak-gu (Mayor Changwoo Lee) announced that it will make every effort to inspect churches and private multi-use facilities in accordance with the high-intensity social distancing measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 until the 19th.

First, ahead of Easter on the 12th, on-site inspections of churches will be conducted over the weekend. The district will conduct a full survey of 281 churches in the area this week, focusing on ▲guidance on the extension of high-intensity social distancing and recommendations to refrain from gatherings ▲strict emphasis on compliance with infection prevention rules during worship services ▲and enforcement measures such as prohibition orders if prevention rules are not followed.

As a result of the full survey, the number of churches planning Easter worship services increased by 45 from last week to 69. On the 12th, on-site inspections will focus on checking compliance with ▲temperature and respiratory symptom checks at entrances (with record keeping) ▲mask wearing ▲availability of hand sanitizers ▲maintaining distance between participants ▲and disinfection and ventilation before and after gatherings.

High-intensity inspections will also be promoted for academies in the area. On the 8th, a first joint inspection with the city and education office was conducted on 128 academies in Noryangjin, and a second inspection was carried out on 38 academies that were found lacking in prevention measures.

On the 9th, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters’ closure orders were communicated to nine large academies in Noryangjin, and closure was recommended. As a result of consultations, four of the nine large academies will close until the 19th, and three are discussing closure. For academies that remain open, closure will be continuously recommended, and compliance with quarantine rules will be checked through regular on-site visits.

Additionally, on the 7th, all 65 people including instructors and students of the lecture room at Gongdangi 9 in Noryangjin, attended by confirmed patient No. 32 in Seocho, tested negative in a full inspection.

The district is encouraging closures by providing incentives such as closure support funds along with on-site inspections of private multi-use facilities such as academies and PC rooms to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

As of the 9th, among 900 academies registered with Dongjak-Gwanak Education Support Office, 441 (49%) have reported closures (as of 1 p.m.), and among 788 private multi-use facilities including PC rooms, karaoke rooms, and sports facilities, 230 have applied for closure support funds. The application period for closure support funds for multi-use facilities is until April 21.

On the 8th, joint inspections were conducted with related organizations on 788 multi-use facilities such as PC rooms and karaoke rooms in the area. For businesses that applied for closure, compliance with closure (facility shutdown, posting notices, etc.) was confirmed, and for operating facilities, compliance with infection prevention rules was checked and suspension of operations was recommended.

Mayor Changwoo Lee of Dongjak-gu said, “This is a time when restraint is necessary for events and gatherings that may cause group infections to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the community,” and added, “We ask residents for their voluntary participation in practicing high-intensity social distancing until the 19th.”