Nowon-gu Issues Emergency Administrative Order for COVID-19 Prevention 'Gathering Ban' Starting at Midnight on the 16th

In religious facilities, all in-person gatherings, events, food provision, and group meals are prohibited except for regular worship services, Mass, and Buddhist ceremonies.

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Nowon-gu (Mayor Oh Seung-rok) will implement an "Emergency Administrative Order Prohibiting Gatherings" from 0:00 on the 16th, banning all gatherings in all locations within the district due to the government's escalation to social distancing level 2 and confirmed COVID-19 cases in the area.

The emergency administrative order, decided on the 15th at the district office's planning situation room with the participation of all senior officials, is a measure to prevent the spread of infectious diseases within the district. For religious facilities, all face-to-face meetings, activities, events, food provision, and group meals are prohibited except for regular worship services, masses, and Buddhist ceremonies.

Violators will be fined up to 3 million KRW according to the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act, applicable to both organizers and participants of gatherings.

The main contents of the escalated social distancing level 2, effective from 0:00 on the 16th, include a ban on indoor gatherings of 50 or more people and outdoor gatherings of 100 or more people, as well as the suspension of operations at high-risk facilities.

According to this measure, the district will conduct a comprehensive inspection of all religious facilities on Sunday, the 16th. Fifty religious facilities with over 100 attendees will be inspected jointly with Seoul City, while 300 facilities with fewer than 100 attendees will be inspected independently by the district.

Additionally, scheduled events such as the Wolgye Gaksimjae Old House Concert, various lectures, and the Midsummer Night Water Music Concert have been canceled.

Mayor Oh Seung-rok said, "The spread of COVID-19 around the metropolitan area is serious," and added, "As confirmed cases in Nowon-gu, which had been sporadic, have significantly increased over the past two days, all departments should make every effort to prevent further spread of the virus."