[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Yoon-joo] The quarantine authorities reaffirmed their previous stance that quarantine rules were not properly followed in relation to the COVID-19 cluster infection that occurred at the Coupang logistics center in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province.
After Coupang claimed that the outbreak of about 150 confirmed cases at the Bucheon logistics center was due to the lies of an Incheon academy instructor who concealed their occupation and movement paths, the authorities once again emphasized that quarantine guidelines were not followed. This is interpreted as a call to comply with quarantine rules amid a recent increase in confirmed cases linked to small group gatherings such as religious facilities and door-to-door sales.
Jung Eun-kyung, head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH), said at a briefing held at the Osong Disease Control Headquarters in Chungbuk on the day, in response to related questions, "Regarding the Bucheon logistics center, although the epidemiological investigation was delayed because the Incheon confirmed case did not properly disclose their occupation, the quarantine rules were also not properly followed."
Director Jung stated, "When investigating the logistics center, there were limitations due to the nature of the work environment that made mask-wearing difficult, and it was judged that compliance with quarantine rules was insufficient in rest areas, commuter buses, and cafeterias," adding, "We believe that factors such as the difficulty of wearing masks in the environment and insufficient social distancing in rest areas and cafeterias occurred in combination."
He reiterated, "It is difficult to explain it by a single reason, and it is judged that multiple reasons acted in combination."
Coupang showed opposition after the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) earlier announced on the 6th that comparing the cases of the Bucheon and Deokpyeong logistics centers revealed that failure to properly follow basic quarantine rules such as mask-wearing and social distancing resulted in greater damage.
Coupang stated the day before, "If it were not for the lies of the Itaewon instructor, the pattern of infection at the Bucheon logistics center would have been significantly different. Coupang faithfully implemented various government guidelines related to COVID-19 even before the confirmed cases occurred at the Bucheon logistics center," and announced plans for legal action against the Incheon academy instructor.
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