Jeonnam Province Conducts Preemptive COVID-19 Testing for Academy and Training Center Workers

[Muan=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yoon Jamin] Jeonnam Province has launched free proactive COVID-19 testing for workers such as academy and private tutoring instructors.

According to the province on the 29th, this proactive testing was initiated to detect asymptomatic infections early and prevent community spread after teachers and academy instructors in Mokpo and Muan recently tested positive, raising concerns about infections among family, acquaintances, and within schools.

The related confirmed cases have totaled 10 since the first case was reported on the 24th.

To address this, the province held an emergency meeting with education institution officials on the 28th to focus on school quarantine measures, testing targets and schedules, and compliance with quarantine rules.

Additionally, the quarantine status of academies and private tutoring centers was inspected, and anyone exhibiting symptoms such as fever, cough, or sore throat was instructed to immediately visit health center screening clinics for diagnostic testing.

Initially, proactive testing will be conducted on 2,529 workers at 805 academies and private tutoring centers located in Mokpo and Muan, where recent cases occurred, and will then be expanded to all cities and counties in the province by the 7th of next month.

Currently, in Jeonnam, there are a total of 10,765 workers operating in academies, private tutoring centers, and private lessons: 6,856 workers at 2,787 academies, 588 workers at 581 private tutoring centers, and 3,321 private tutors.

Kang Young-gu, Director of the Jeonnam Provincial Department of Health and Welfare, stated, “Infections among academy, private tutoring, and private lesson workers are causing community spread to family and acquaintances.” He urged, “Residents who have overlapping movement paths with confirmed cases must visit health center screening clinics for diagnostic testing regardless of symptoms, and refrain from gatherings and outings with family and acquaintances.”