[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, has issued a two-week assembly ban order starting from the 28th for the Bucheon Coupang Logistics Center, where COVID-19 cases are rapidly increasing.
At a press conference broadcast online from the Gyeonggi Provincial Government situation room on the same day, Governor Lee said, "Local infections at the Bucheon Coupang Logistics Center are spreading rapidly," adding, "As of 10 a.m. today (28th), 31 cases have been confirmed in Gyeonggi Province and 86 nationwide. There is a possibility that the number will increase sharply depending on the results of the full investigation."
He further explained, "According to Article 49 of the relevant law, to prevent the spread of COVID-19, a two-week assembly ban order is issued for the Bucheon Coupang Logistics Center starting today," and added, "This administrative order was made because a large number of confirmed cases occurred in the designated area, and the virus was detected on-site, raising concerns about infection."
Moreover, he warned, "Violating this administrative order may result in punishment under Article 80, Clause 7 of the relevant law."
Governor Lee also expressed regret over the inadequate initial response following the outbreak of confirmed cases at the Bucheon Coupang Logistics Center.
He said, "If the logistics center had strictly followed quarantine rules and taken accurate measures after confirmed cases occurred, the situation could have been minimized," adding, "Considering this aspect, there is much regret."
In particular, he noted, "There have been continuous media reports raising doubts about whether quarantine rules were properly followed before the confirmed cases occurred," and explained, "Even after recognizing the outbreak, hundreds of people were left unattended and exposed to risk for a long time at the logistics center. When Gyeonggi Province requested the delivery staff list for epidemiological investigation, there was a long delay, and the Gyeonggi Special Judicial Police even dispatched to the site during a meeting for an emergency investigation."
Governor Lee also expressed concern about the livelihood threats to platform workers due to this assembly ban order.
He added, "Employees working at the Coupang Logistics Center are short-term workers with two or three jobs and platform workers in unstable labor environments. It pains me to see their livelihoods threatened by this measure."
He also expressed regret over issuing the assembly ban order, which could restrict corporate activities.
He said, "Unlike foreign countries, we do not impose full shutdowns on general companies to balance the economy and quarantine," adding, "However, in the worst case, shutdowns cannot be ruled out, and this assembly ban order is an unavoidable measure to avoid the worst-case scenario of a full closure."
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