Mokpo City Takes a 'Last Stand' Against the Spread of COVID-19 Among Foreigners

Special Inspection of Facilities Used by Foreign Worker Workplaces

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Jeong Seunghyun] Mokpo City, Jeonnam Province, announced on the 18th that it is making every effort to prevent additional COVID-19 infections as the proportion of foreign seafarers among confirmed cases has recently increased.

Since October, there have been 46 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 23 domestic and 23 foreign nationals, among which 14 are foreign seafarers, accounting for a high proportion. It was also confirmed that the confirmed cases did not visit locations such as the Mokpo Literature Expo or the Cultural Heritage Night Tour.

Amid the rising number of foreign confirmed cases, the city has been conducting tests every two weeks since July, as well as testing on the day of arrival and 72 hours before departure, and on-site specimen collection upon shipowner request.

In addition, to enforce the administrative order for seafarer diagnostic testing upon fishing vessel entry and exit reporting, the city has established a cooperative system with the Mokpo Coast Guard and agreed to share related status information.

The city is also visiting workplaces related to foreigners such as industrial complexes, construction sites, foreigner-utilized facilities, and multicultural centers to encourage diagnostic testing and vaccinations. Starting from the 18th, the city will continue to encourage testing and vaccination focusing on foreign residential areas in each district and plans to conduct joint special inspections with the Mokpo Police Station on karaoke bars and pubs mainly used by foreign seafarers.

While focusing on rapid epidemiological investigations to identify contacts, the city plans to immediately dispatch teams for disinfection at locations where confirmed or close contacts have occurred and continuously carry out disinfection in areas with civil complaints and multi-use facilities.

Furthermore, to prepare for additional confirmed cases and potential cluster outbreaks and to ensure immediate initial response, the city will strengthen the 24-hour emergency contact system for all health center staff.

Moreover, as events such as the Kim Dae-jung Peace Conference and Jeonnam Residents' Day commemorations approach and interregional travel increases during the autumn holiday season, the city is conducting guidance activities at Peace Square, where violations of distancing and mask-wearing rules have surged, and has been operating a temporary screening clinic since the 15th.

Meanwhile, according to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters' announcement, social distancing measures will be partially eased for two weeks starting from the 18th. Accordingly, operating hours for restaurants and cafes will be extended from 10 p.m. to midnight, and private gatherings will be expanded to a maximum of 10 people, including six fully vaccinated individuals. Further details can be found on the Mokpo City website.