Kwon Deok-cheol "Quarantine Situation Still on Thin Ice... Must Block the Spread Chain of 'Foreign Workers'"

"Average Daily New Cases Around 370 Over 2 Weeks... Capital Region Accounts for Nearly 80%"
Concerns Over Cluster Outbreaks Among Foreign Workers... "Encouraging Testing Even for Illegal Residents"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] The government has once again urged compliance with quarantine rules, stating that the spread of COVID-19 is not easily contained, especially in the Seoul metropolitan area. Particular concern was expressed over the cluster outbreaks among foreign workers, which began in mid-February at a factory in Namyangju and have recently spread to Yangju, Dongducheon, and other areas.

Kwon Deok-cheol, 1st Deputy Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Minister of Health and Welfare), stated at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting on the 6th, "Although the season has turned to spring, the quarantine situation remains precarious," adding, "The average daily number of new domestic confirmed cases has remained around 370 for two weeks without significant decrease."

Deputy Head Kwon further explained, "In the Seoul metropolitan area, the number of confirmed cases has actually increased, with the metropolitan area accounting for nearly 80% of cases this week, up from about 75% last week."

The government is particularly concerned that recent cluster outbreaks among foreign workers could become a new link in the chain of infection spread. Deputy Head Kwon said, "The cluster outbreak among foreign workers that started in mid-February at a Namyangju factory has spread to Yangju, Dongducheon, and Yeoncheon, and cases have also been reported in workplaces in Pocheon, Goyang, Ansan, and Icheon. Foreign workers who work in 3-dense environments or live communally in dormitories often do not fully understand quarantine rules due to language barriers, tend to avoid diagnostic testing due to issues such as illegal residency, and frequently move between jobs as day laborers, which causes many difficulties in epidemiological investigations at quarantine sites."

He emphasized, "Having just barely overcome the third wave of the pandemic last winter and now beginning vaccinations, foreign workers must not become a new link in the spread of infection."

The government is currently implementing a ‘Foreign Worker Quarantine Management Plan’ jointly with relevant ministries and local governments to prevent further spread. Quarantine inspections are being conducted at about 12,000 workplaces employing large numbers of foreign workers, mainly in the metropolitan area. Additionally, more than 20 temporary testing sites have been expanded in major foreign worker-dense areas to conduct proactive diagnostic testing. If confirmed cases are found through proactive testing, comprehensive testing is conducted for the affiliated workplaces or groups.

Deputy Head Kwon stated, "To facilitate smooth diagnostic testing for foreigners, even those in illegal residency status can receive free testing without a visa by providing only contact information, and the information provided to medical institutions is used solely for quarantine purposes." He added, "Hospitalization and treatment costs due to COVID-19 are supported free of charge." He requested, "Employers who hire foreign workers are urged to actively encourage them to undergo diagnostic testing."