710 Exposed to COVID-19 at German Bar... US Department of Defense Employee Faces Up to 10 Years in Prison

At Least 23 Infected, Over 710 Exposed to Virus
Visited Bar Before Receiving COVID-19 Test Results
If Aware of Transmission Risk, 6 Months to 10 Years Imprisonment Under German Law

A bar in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Bavaria, Germany, visited by an American woman in her 20s infected with COVID-19.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Bong-ju] A woman in her 20s from the United States, showing symptoms of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), visited a bar in Germany and is expected to face up to 10 years in prison for spreading the virus.

On the 17th (local time), the British Daily Mail and others reported that the Munich prosecutor's office in Germany has launched an investigation into Yasmin (26), a U.S. Department of Defense employee who visited a bar while infected with COVID-19, infecting at least 23 people and exposing 710 others to the virus.

Yasmin underwent a COVID-19 test due to a sore throat and visited two bars in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Bavaria, Germany, on the 3rd and 4th before the test results were available.

If it is determined that Yasmin was aware of the risk of transmitting COVID-19, under German criminal law, she could face imprisonment from a minimum of six months to a maximum of 10 years for endangering the physical safety of citizens.

Regarding this, Markus S?der, the Minister-President of Bavaria, stated, "This is a typical case of foolishness. There must be consequences for reckless behavior," expressing his intention to impose strict punishment.

Germany also imposes fines of up to 2,000 euros (approximately 2.76 million KRW) on those who violate quarantine obligations. Additional penalties and claims for damages may follow if quarantine breaches cause infections or economic losses to others.

As of the 16th, the total number of direct and indirect COVID-19 cases linked to Yasmin is 59.

Among them, 25 infections occurred within Edelweiss Lodge & Resort, Yasmin's workplace. Edelweiss Lodge & Resort, operated for U.S. military personnel and their families, will be closed for two weeks due to this outbreak.

Additionally, gatherings of five or more people in public places and entry to bars and restaurants after 10 p.m. have been prohibited.

Authorities reported that as of the 16th, among 740 people tested for COVID-19 on the 12th and 13th, three were confirmed positive, and about 300 are awaiting test results.