Response to Omicron Variant Virus... 10-Day Facility Quarantine and 4 Tests for Overseas Entrants
[Muan=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Jeonnam Province will strengthen COVID-19 quarantine rules by limiting private gatherings to 8 people for 4 weeks starting from the 6th.
The province announced on the 5th that it will implement an administrative order to strengthen quarantine rules until January 2 of next year, following government guidelines, to stabilize the ongoing spread of infections after the phased recovery of daily life.
Private gatherings will be limited to 8 people regardless of vaccination status, with exceptions made for cohabiting family gatherings, care for children, elderly, and disabled persons, and end-of-life situations.
The mandatory application of the quarantine pass, including vaccination proof and negative test confirmation, will be expanded from the existing 5 types of facilities to 16 types. However, a grace period will be given until the 12th of this month.
The 16 target facilities include ▲entertainment facilities such as pubs, clubs, and nightclubs ▲karaoke rooms ▲indoor sports facilities ▲bathhouses ▲bicycle racing, motorboat racing, horse racing, casinos ▲restaurants and cafes ▲academies ▲movie theaters and performance halls ▲reading rooms ▲multi-rooms ▲PC rooms ▲sports stadiums (spectator areas) ▲museums, art galleries, party rooms ▲libraries ▲massage and bodywork establishments.
The validity period of the quarantine pass is 6 months. Facility users must renew their quarantine pass through an additional vaccination within 6 months after completing the initial vaccination.
Also, children and adolescents aged 12 to 17 are included in the age group subject to the quarantine pass. However, considering the vaccination period for those aged 12 to 17, an 8-week grace period will be provided, and enforcement will begin on February 1 of next year.
As the proportion of confirmed cases aged 60 and over reached 40% in the past two weeks, the province will strengthen quarantine measures in the elderly, disabled, and social welfare sectors.
The 10,337 social welfare facilities in the province will operate focusing on those who have received the third vaccination, and workers in social welfare facilities, elderly care, and disabled activity support services must undergo PCR testing once a week.
Weekly PCR testing for workers in existing vulnerable facilities such as bathhouses will also be maintained.
Jeonnam Province has also strengthened its response to the Omicron variant, which is spreading worldwide.
Overseas arrivals will be quarantined in facilities for 10 days and undergo PCR testing 4 times. If exposed to an Omicron confirmed case, the self-quarantine period has been extended from the previous 10 days to 14 days.
Kang Young-gu, Director of Health and Welfare Bureau of Jeonnam Province, said, “The spread of infection is very rapid and occurring throughout the province, marking a critical turning point. To overcome the current crisis and restore our precious daily lives, voluntary quarantine practices and active participation in preventive vaccinations by all residents are necessary.”
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