[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] In response to the spread of COVID-19 in the Seoul metropolitan area, Gyeonggi Province issued an administrative order restricting gatherings from 3 p.m. on the 1st to midnight on the 14th for industries and multi-use facilities with many users and vulnerable safety management, such as logistics warehouses, call centers, funeral halls, and wedding halls.
Lim Seung-kwan, co-head of the Gyeonggi Province COVID-19 Emergency Response Team (Director of Gyeonggi Provincial Medical Center Anseong Hospital), stated at a regular briefing on the 1st, "Due to the recent occurrence of large-scale COVID-19 infection cases at workplaces in the metropolitan area, we made this decision to block transmission to the local community."
The order targets logistics warehouse businesses, transportation and courier logistics facilities, collection centers, call centers, funeral halls, wedding halls, etc., within the province.
Co-head Lim explained, "We selected the targets considering the national economic activities among logistics-related industries where recent cluster infections occurred, industries with many users, and multi-use facilities with vulnerable safety management."
These facilities may only gather for business operations if they comply with the quarantine rules announced. They must adhere to common workplace guidelines and key individual workplace rules.
The province plans to conduct on-site inspections to ensure compliance with the order and impose sanctions such as prohibition of gatherings, prosecution, and claims for damages if quarantine rules are violated. Additionally, depending on the COVID-19 outbreak situation, the scope of the order will be gradually expanded, and the period may be extended.
As of midnight on the 1st, there were 12 new confirmed cases in the province: 1 related to the Bucheon Coupang logistics center, 10 from community transmission, and 1 imported case.
Among the 10 community transmission cases, 8 are related to a pastors' meeting in Anyang and Gunpo. One is related to the Gwangju Happy Nursing Home, and one is of unknown origin and is under epidemiological investigation.
The total number of confirmed cases nationwide related to the Bucheon Coupang logistics center was 112 as of midnight on the 1st. Among them, the number of confirmed cases in the province increased by one from the previous day to a total of 50. Of these 50 related confirmed cases, 32 are Coupang employees, the largest group. There are 18 infections due to additional community transmission.
The total number of people subject to the full inspection related to the Bucheon Coupang logistics center increased from the initial 4,368 workers, subcontractors, and visitors who worked from May 12, to 5,008 by adding 640 trunk delivery drivers. Among them, 4,788 people are being tested through screening clinics in Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon areas. As of midnight on the 1st, 4,612 tested negative, 112 tested positive, and 64 are still undergoing testing.
Additionally, four people, including one pastor and three church members, were confirmed positive at Suwon Dongbu Church located in Suwon City. This church is attended by a mother and daughter residing in Suwon who were confirmed positive on the 29th of last month after contact with a confirmed case working at the Bucheon Coupang logistics center.
Among the confirmed cases, one church member was found to work at Anseong Jeil Chemical, and testing is underway for 61 employees. Furthermore, full testing is being conducted for about 145 people who attended services at the same time on May 24 and 27, when confirmed cases occurred.
Regarding the pastors' meeting in Anyang and Gunpo, a confirmed case related to Sae Eonyak Church in Gunpo City was reported on May 30. Epidemiological investigation revealed that from May 25 to 27, 25 pastors, believers, and family members from 12 churches in Gunpo and Anyang gathered for a pastors' meeting in Jeju Island.
In the case of Gwangju Happy Nursing Home, after the first confirmed case of a care worker on the 28th of last month, full testing of 196 residents in Building 1 and Building 2 revealed 5 additional confirmed cases, including 4 residents and 1 care worker, bringing the total related confirmed cases to 6.
Following the first confirmed case of a Seoul resident related to the Korea University Student Mission, three additional cases, including students from Gachon University in Seongnam, were confirmed, bringing the total related confirmed cases to 4.
Among 218 Gachon University students who had contact with confirmed cases, 119 tested negative, and the remaining 99 are still undergoing testing.
Additionally, 496 Gachon University students who took exams together from the 26th to the 28th of last month were advised to self-quarantine.
One of the confirmed cases attended the Wirye Jua Church service on the 27th of last month, and testing is underway for 31 contacts; 21 tested negative, and 10 are still being tested.
Co-head Lim urged, "We must keep in mind that sporadic cluster infections can occur anytime within the social distancing system and never let our guard down even for a moment." He added, "Please break away from the complacency of 'just me' and strictly follow mask-wearing and personal hygiene rules, and refrain from going out or gathering as much as possible."
Meanwhile, as of midnight on the 1st, the total number of confirmed cases in Gyeonggi Province was 853, an increase of 12 from the previous day.
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