Fire on the Dorsum: 1,700 Testers in Sacheon City... Prohibition of Gatherings at Jinju Entertainment Venues

All Academies in Gimhae Voluntarily Close Until the 25th

Shin Jong-woo, Director of Welfare and Health Bureau of Gyeongnam Province, is giving a COVID-19 briefing on the 18th.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Ju-cheol In] As a series of infections spread in Jinju, Sacheon, Gimhae, Gyeongnam, quarantine authorities have strengthened quarantine measures, including banning gatherings.

The Jinju quarantine authorities have imposed a ban on gatherings for one week from 5 p.m. today until 3 p.m. on the 25th at 382 entertainment facilities of five types where multiple confirmed cases occurred. Currently, the number of confirmed cases related to the Danranjujeom has increased to 54.

In Gimhae, 24 local elementary schools have switched to remote classes for five days from the 19th to the 23rd. All academies in Gimhae have decided to voluntarily close until the 25th.

The number of confirmed cases related to restaurants in Sacheon has also sharply increased to 36. Quarantine authorities conducted diagnostic tests on a total of 1,662 people exposed to the movements of confirmed cases, and 312 people are under self-quarantine and undergoing diagnostic tests.

For eight companies where confirmed cases occurred, the responsible departments have been designated to strengthen quarantine disinfection and encourage diagnostic testing for those exposed to the movements of confirmed cases. Additionally, two bathhouses in Sacheon visited by confirmed cases have been closed, and diagnostic tests are being conducted for users.

As many foreign confirmed cases have recently occurred in Sacheon, the city is cooperating with the Multicultural Center to send guidance messages translated into six languages and is encouraging those with symptoms or contacts to get diagnostic tests immediately.

Shin Jong-woo, Director of the Provincial Welfare and Health Bureau, said, “Since confirmed cases are occurring consecutively in daycare centers, schools, restaurants, and workplaces in the province, the situation is very serious,” and emphasized, “Please cancel or postpone unnecessary gatherings and refrain as much as possible from visiting places where many people gather or participating in events.”