Governor Kim Young-rok: "Strict Response to Violations of Religious Facility Quarantine Rules"

[Muan=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yoon Jamin] Kim Young-rok, Governor of Jeollanam-do, stated, "We will respond strictly to violations of quarantine rules at religious facilities."

Governor Kim said in an appeal to the residents on the 17th, "Since the beginning of the new year, the average daily number of confirmed cases has been around 2, maintaining a relatively stable trend, but recently, 21 confirmed cases have occurred mainly at religious facilities in Yeongam and Gangjin, creating a serious situation."

Governor Kim explained, "Through Gwaneumsa Temple located in Samho-eup, Yeongam, 18 people including monks, believers, and village residents were infected, and 3 monks and believers who visited Gwaneumsa also at Heungdeoksa Temple in Gangjin were infected. The villages in Yeongam and Gangjin where the cluster infections occurred have restricted movement between villages and are conducting diagnostic tests and epidemiological investigations."

He continued, "There is a possibility that COVID-19 is widely spreading in the local communities of Yeongam and Gangjin," and emphasized, "From the 29th of last year to the 15th of this month, an administrative order was issued requiring visitors to Yeongam Gwaneumsa and Gangjin Heungdeoksa, as well as those who had contact with them, to undergo diagnostic testing at health center screening clinics by the 20th."

He also mentioned the essential quarantine rules to block the chain of transmission.

Governor Kim said, "All private gatherings including family should be canceled, visits to other regions and contact with outsiders should be avoided, and masks, the only vaccine to block the spread of COVID-19, must be worn at all times."

He added, "Recently, infections have rapidly spread through religious facilities such as BTJ Yeolhap Center, Jinju Prayer Center, Yeongam Gwaneumsa, and Gangjin Heungdeoksa," and stated, "Meetings and meals outside of regular religious activities are prohibited, and quarantine rules must be strictly followed."

Along with this, he urged, "The government has decided to extend social distancing level 2 from the 18th to the 31st, and active participation from residents is necessary."

Furthermore, he added, "Vaccination will begin next month, and treatments are also being developed," and said, "Jeollanam-do has formed the 'Jeollanam-do COVID-19 Vaccination Promotion Team' to prepare for COVID-19 vaccination and will do its best to protect the safety of residents."