Operation Suspension for Violating Quarantine Guidelines... Amendment to the Infectious Disease Prevention Act

On the 24th, the "Partial Amendment to the Commercial Building Lease Protection Act" was passed at the National Assembly plenary session. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hye-min] On the 24th, the revised "Infectious Disease Prevention Act," which allows for suspension or closure orders for facilities that violate quarantine guidelines despite the risk of infectious disease transmission, passed the plenary session of the National Assembly.

The amendment expands the scope of disinfection measures to include not only buildings confirmed to be contaminated but also facilities and places suspected of contamination, and establishes grounds to suspend operations of facilities or places that operate in violation of quarantine compliance orders.

It also provides grounds for testing suspected infectious disease cases, restricting transportation for quarantined individuals, and collecting false information. Additionally, during the infectious disease response process, unnecessary information is to be deleted when disclosing information about infectious disease patients, and related personnel are prohibited from using such information for purposes other than their work.

The amendment includes provisions to provide psychological support and financial assistance to infectious disease patients, their families, suspected cases, medical personnel, and field responders. Furthermore, it mandates the establishment and operation of an integrated infectious disease management information system to collect, manage, and share information on infectious disease patients, medical resources, and treatment-related data.