'Incheon-style Social Distancing' Indefinitely Extended... Incheon Grand Park and Wolmi Park Closed

Incheon Arboretum in Incheon Grand Park
Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] Incheon City announced on the 14th that it will indefinitely extend the 'Incheon-style social distancing' in line with the government's strengthened quarantine measures in the metropolitan area related to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

The city had originally planned to implement the Incheon-style social distancing, which began on the 29th of last month, until this day.

However, as COVID-19 continues to spread mainly in the metropolitan area, the city decided to extend social distancing indefinitely until the number of confirmed cases stabilizes.

According to government policy, public multi-use facilities such as Incheon Grand Park and Wolmi Park will continue to suspend operations both indoors and outdoors.

Indoor cultural facilities such as libraries, performance halls, training centers, as well as natural recreation forests, apartment complexes, and outdoor sports facilities will also be closed. Operation of shared facilities for apartment residents, such as gyms, is also advised to be refrained from.

Events, festivals, and educational activities are to be suspended or canceled in principle, and facilities such as senior welfare centers, senior citizen centers, comprehensive social welfare centers, and disability welfare centers will postpone opening, but programs for emergency care will be operated on a limited basis.

Additionally, public institutions and public enterprise employees will actively utilize flexible work arrangements such as working from home or staggered commuting hours.

Mayor Park Namchun said, "We switched to a strengthened Incheon-style social distancing to block the spread of COVID-19 in the community, but the spread is increasing mainly in the metropolitan area," and urged, "Please strictly follow quarantine rules in daily life."

In Incheon, the cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has reached 316 as of today, with infections occurring consecutively related to gatherings at pioneering churches and the Coupang Bucheon logistics center.