Simultaneous Issuance of 'Chuseok Special Quarantine Period Enhanced Quarantine Administrative Order'
Effective from September 28 to October 11, Cooperation Requested to Refrain from Attending Gathering Places
Kim Yang-won, Director of the Jeonbuk Provincial Safety Office, is explaining the 'Administrative Order Prohibiting Attendance at Illegal Gatherings in the Seoul Metropolitan Area during Chuseok and National Foundation Day.' Photo by Jeonbuk Provincial Government
[Jeonju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Tae-in] Jeollabuk-do announced on the morning of the 25th that it will simultaneously issue the ‘Chuseok Special Quarantine Period Strengthened Quarantine Administrative Order’ and the ‘Administrative Order Prohibiting Attendance at Illegal Gatherings in the Seoul Metropolitan Area such as on Gaecheonjeol’ in accordance with the government’s policy to strengthen social distancing during the Chuseok special quarantine period.
The government has designated a special quarantine period (September 28 to October 11) including the Chuseok holiday and plans to implement enhanced quarantine measures.
The difference in the government’s current quarantine measures compared to before is that for non-metropolitan areas as well, high-risk facilities among the five types of entertainment venues (clubs and other entertainment bars, colatecs, danran bars, emotional bars, hunting pochas) will be prohibited from gathering for one week from September 28 to October 4 (no relaxation measures allowed by province/city), and the following week (October 5 to October 11) may be subject to adjustment. However, for nationwide direct sales promotion centers such as door-to-door sales, which are considered highly risky, a uniform gathering ban will be enforced for two weeks from September 28 to October 11.
Additionally, the operation of indoor national and public facilities will be allowed in a limited manner to provide cultural facilities that can be safely visited during the holiday period.
Accordingly, Jeollabuk-do has designated the period from September 28 to October 11 as the Chuseok special quarantine period, issued a strengthened quarantine administrative order, and announced that quarantine guidelines and standards will follow government policies. Operation of national and public cultural facilities with excellent quarantine management will be permitted, but with restrictions such as limiting admission to half capacity and implementing a prior reservation system.
During the special quarantine period, Jeollabuk-do plans to conduct joint inspections with city and county governments on the implementation status of administrative orders for high-risk facilities. In particular, they will focus on inspecting quarantine conditions at places with increased density before and after Chuseok, such as stations, terminals, traditional markets, shopping districts including department stores, popular tourist sites, and restaurants and lodging facilities around tourist spots expected to have many visitors.
Furthermore, Jeollabuk-do has issued an administrative order prohibiting residents from attending illegal gatherings in the Seoul metropolitan area nationwide from September 28 to October 11, in accordance with the nationwide gathering trends around October 3, Gaecheonjeol.
This measure is a preemptive action following an explosive increase in COVID-19 cases in Jeollabuk-do, where the number of patients increased by 78 over about 50 days after the August 15 Liberation Day rally, nearly doubling the 43 cases recorded in the six months from the first patient on January 31 until before the Liberation Day rally.
Illegal gathering attendees will be reported in cooperation with Seoul city, and strong measures will be taken including fines up to 3 million won according to relevant laws, full payment of treatment costs if the individual is confirmed positive, and claims for all costs incurred in quarantine if local transmission occurs.
Jeollabuk-do will send official letters requesting cooperation to related organizations to refrain from attending illegal gatherings, send disaster text messages urging restraint from attending gatherings as needed, and conduct on-site visits with police at planned gathering locations to request attendance restraint and compile participant lists.
Additionally, Jeonbuk Provincial Police Agency has been asked for active cooperation to ensure enforcement of administrative orders including administrative support and prompt investigation in case of criminal charges, and the Jeollabuk-do Chartered Bus Transport Association has already announced a ban on transportation for gatherings in the metropolitan area such as on Gaecheonjeol.
Governor Song Ha-jin stated, “This Chuseok, it is important to practice ‘warm social distancing’ that conveys sincerity and love from the heart,” and urged, “As the spread of COVID-19 continues in the metropolitan area, please refrain from attending illegal gatherings where many people inevitably come into contact.”
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