Gyeonggi-do Orders 'Gathering Restrictions' on Logistics Warehouses, Call Centers, Funeral and Wedding Halls
Opposition Due to Sales Decline in Some Facilities
Lee Jae-myung "I Will Take Responsibility Despite Criticism"
[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] In an effort to curb the recent spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) mainly in the Seoul metropolitan area, Gyeonggi Province issued a gathering restriction order on the 1st targeting wedding halls, funeral halls, and other facilities, but it has been reported that some facilities are opposing the measure.
Starting from 3 p.m. on the same day until midnight on the 14th, Gyeonggi Province issued an administrative order restricting gatherings at industries and multi-use facilities with vulnerable safety management, such as logistics warehouses, call centers, funeral halls, and wedding halls.
According to a media outlet, some facilities are reportedly opposing this decision. A representative of a wedding hall said, "May and June are the busiest months for wedding halls," adding, "Not only the wedding halls but also the engaged couples are very worried." They continued, "Sales have already been severely impacted by COVID-19, and we are even more concerned about the future."
However, despite such opposition from businesses, Gyeonggi Province is reportedly not planning to withdraw the gathering restriction order.
Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, emphasized, "I will take responsibility and endure criticism regarding the gathering restriction order on general workplaces such as logistics centers."
In a post on his Facebook page that afternoon, Governor Lee stated, "Until now, quarantine rules for businesses were only recommendations, so if they were not followed, there were no consequences. Since businesses aim for profit, there are cases where they violate quarantine rules if they see benefits in doing so," explaining the situation.
Regarding the background of issuing the gathering restriction order, he said, "If quarantine rules are not followed, all members of the community could be put at risk. For public safety, sanctions for violations of the rules are inevitable," adding, "Accordingly, Gyeonggi Province issued gathering restriction orders today for certain high-risk industries among general workplaces. This is also an unavoidable measure to prevent a full shutdown due to worsening conditions. It is a desperate measure to prevent a greater sacrifice with a small sacrifice."
On the order restricting wedding halls and funeral halls, he said, "There may be criticism that this is an excessive restriction on business activities. However, there is no value more important than the safety of the community and the lives of its members, and protecting this is the authority and duty entrusted to the governor by the residents," adding, "Authority comes with responsibility, and responsibility includes criticism. I judged that it is right to willingly endure criticism and choose overreaction rather than delayed response."
Meanwhile, the gathering restriction targets a total of 1,586 locations, including 1,219 logistics warehouses, 61 call centers, 177 funeral halls, and 129 wedding halls.
The order applies to logistics warehouses, transportation and delivery logistics facilities, collection centers, call centers, funeral halls, and wedding halls within the province. In particular, the targets were selected considering the recent cluster infections at logistics centers, industries with many users but vulnerable safety management, and multi-use facilities, taking into account their impact on the national economy.
For wedding halls, the following measures must be implemented: △ management of visitor logs (name, phone number, ID verification, logs to be kept for 4 weeks and then discarded) △ designation of a quarantine manager △ symptom checks for visitors and restriction of entry for symptomatic individuals △ mandatory mask-wearing for business owners and workers △ daily symptom checks for workers with records and sending symptomatic workers home △ provision of masks and hand sanitizers △ prohibition of close contact among guests, maintaining at least 1 meter distance △ indoor disinfection records before and after business hours △ sterilization and disinfection of tables used by guests with sprayers or similar methods before reuse.
For funeral halls, an additional clause requires "confirmation of protective gear use in cooperation with health centers when visitors under self-quarantine attend funerals." The province plans to conduct on-site inspections to verify compliance with the order and impose sanctions such as gathering bans, prosecutions, and claims for damages if quarantine rules are violated.
Furthermore, depending on the COVID-19 situation, the province plans to gradually expand the scope of the order and consider extending its duration.
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