Administrative order regarding subjects of COVID-19 testing changed from April 29 to April 24
Gyeonggi
Province has changed the applicable time period of the COVID-19 administrative
order pertaining to the Itaewon clubs in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, from a starting
date of April 29 to April 24.
At an
emergency briefing held on the morning of May 12, Gyeonggi Province Health
Bureau Director General Kim Jae-hoon said, “After analyzing the first patient's
symptoms and the start date of club operations, we have decided to change the
time period based on the results of the epidemiological investigation and the
concurring opinion of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which
indicate that it is appropriate to investigate contacts from April 24.”
Gyeonggi
Province had previously (on May 10) ordered COVID-19 testing and interpersonal
contact prohibition for those who entered related businesses, including clubs
that confirmed patients had visited since April 29, and those who visited the
sleeping room in Gangnam-gu, Seoul.
Accordingly,
those with addresses, residences, workplaces or other connections in Gyeonggi
Province who entered any of the six clubs (King Club, Queen, Trunk, The
Fountain, Soho, H.I.M.) in Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, or the Black
Sleeping Room in Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam-gu, after April 24 are required to
visit a public health center as soon as possible for COVID-19 testing.
The
prohibition on interpersonal contact is effective from the day after the last
day of entry to such businesses up to a maximum of two weeks until confirmed
free of infection. In addition, those deemed as having come in close contact
may be subject to a separate quarantine order from related authorities.
Those
who did not visit the clubs or sleeping room in question but with addresses,
residences, workplaces or other connections in Gyeonggi Province and who have
visited the Itaewon/Nonhyeon areas since April 24 are eligible for free
COVID-19 testing at public health centers and screening clinics in Gyeonggi
Province from May 11 to 17.
During
this period, free COVID-19 testing will be provided without individuals being
required to disclose visits to the related clubs or sleeping room. Provincial
government authorities explained that this measure is geared to prevent discrimination
against sexual minorities and makes it possible for members of sexual
minorities to be tested without fear of repercussions.
The
Gyeonggi Provincial Government emphasized that those who visited the
Itaewon/Nonhyeon areas should immediately undertake the required COVID-19
testing and interpersonal contact prohibition, noting that if the spread of
infection by such individuals is later determined, visits to the clubs in
question will be confirmed during the epidemiological investigation of the first
infected person.
According
to figures provided by Gyeonggi Province on May 12, 808 people (in total) have
voluntarily undergone COVID-19 testing in connection with the Itaewon clubs
since the provincial administrative order for such testing was announced on May
10.
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