[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] The 'stay-at-home order' for soldiers at the US Forces Korea Yongsan Garrison is being extended.
On the 20th, US Forces Korea extended the 'stay-at-home order' issued at Yongsan US military base due to a cluster infection of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) from the 19th to the 24th.
Accordingly, all personnel related to the Yongsan base must remain at home until the 24th, except for emergency situations, essential mission-related activities, purchasing daily necessities, or walking in areas adjacent to their residence. In unavoidable cases, they may go out with approval from a colonel-level commander or a civilian commander of equivalent rank. The directive prohibiting visits to Yongsan base or traveling from Yongsan base to other bases remains in effect.
Since one American civilian employee at Yongsan base was confirmed positive for COVID-19 on the 5th, there have been 28 infected individuals as of the 17th. This includes one soldier residing at Pyeongtaek base (Camp Humphreys) who recently visited Yongsan base. Accordingly, on the 16th, US Forces Korea issued a directive for personnel related to Yongsan and Pyeongtaek bases to stay at home until 11:59 PM on the 19th, except for some essential activities. The 'stay-at-home order' for Pyeongtaek base was lifted as scheduled at 0:00 on the 20th, except for some units and individuals.
Meanwhile, US Forces Korea decided to maintain health measures, including prohibiting soldiers from entering bars, until February 2nd.
The US Forces Korea Command explained, "Although the increase in COVID-19 cases in Korea is slowing, since social distancing level 2.5 is still in effect, the public health protection condition (HPCON) will be maintained at 'Charlie' level, and the adjustment of the level will be reviewed on February 2nd." US Forces Korea raised the HPCON level to 'Charlie' for military bases in the Seoul metropolitan area, including Seoul, on the 11th of last month, and since the 19th of the same month, the 'Charlie' level has been applied to all US military bases in Korea.
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