COVID-19 Situation Worsens... Busan Citywide Countermeasure Meeting for Second Wave Preparedness

14th, 2 PM City Council, Education Office, Public Institutions, Economy, Medical, Culture, Transportation All-Inclusive
Stage 3 Response Based on Patient Occurrence Status ... Within 5, Within 20, Over 20 Confirmed Cases Per Day

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] A Busan-wide citizen countermeasure meeting is being held in preparation for the second wave of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

Busan City announced that as COVID-19 prolongs and signs of a second wave appear, it will hold a wide-ranging citizen countermeasure meeting at 2 p.m. on the 14th, with participation from related organizations in the Busan area to prepare and establish a thorough response system.

The meeting was organized with the purpose of having all parties?including Busan City, the City Council, the Office of Education, public institutions, the business community, the medical sector, and citizens?take the lead in quarantine efforts to proactively respond to the crisis of COVID-19’s resurgence amid concerns that recent cluster infections in the metropolitan area and Chungcheong and Jeolla regions could spread nationwide.

Based on the number of confirmed cases, a three-stage response plan will be prepared, and a Busan-style comprehensive quarantine plan will be established through close cooperation with related organizations, including information sharing between institutions. Stage 1 is defined as up to 5 confirmed cases per day, Stage 2 up to 20 cases, and Stage 3 as more than 20 cases.

In particular, a joint response system will be established with related organizations such as the Office of Education, the Police Agency, and the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Agency for facilities where infection spread is a concern, including city buses, subways, schools, beaches, and port facilities. Additionally, a constant cooperation system through rapid information sharing will be set up with medical institutions to secure hospital beds and mobilize medical resources.

Byun Sung-wan, Acting Mayor of Busan, said, “So far, Busan has been evaluated as responding well to COVID-19 compared to other regions due to cooperation between the city and related organizations, the dedication of medical staff, and citizens’ voluntary practice of social distancing.” He added, “However, as the situation prolongs and everyone faces difficulties, we must not let our guard down until the final moment when COVID-19 ends, and the entire local community must unite their efforts.”