Gyeonggi Province Enacts Administrative Order Restricting Close-Contact Use of Hagwon and Gyoseupsso
Suwon NewsPublished 2020.03.25 07:12
Third administrative order following religious facilities and PC bangsTargets two business types: hagwon (22,936 facilities) and gyoseupsso (10,155 facilities) totaling 33,091 establishmentsGuidance period through 27th...followed by intensive enforcement until next month's 6th
[Suwon Ilbo=Park No-hun Reporter] Gyeonggi Province has enacted an administrative order restricting close-contact use through March 6 for hagwon (private academies) and gyoseupsso (private tutoring centers) deemed to pose high COVID-19 infection risks, requiring implementation of physical distancing measures.
Following the administrative order against 137 religious facilities on the 17th for violating COVID-19 prevention guidelines and three major business types—PC bangs, singing rooms, and club-type establishments—on the 18th, this marks the third administrative order, affecting a total of 33,091 facilities.
The province announced on the 25th that it had publicized the 'Administrative Order Notice on Usage Restrictions for Hagwon and Gyoseupsso' through the Gyeonggi Province Gazette on the 24th.
Legally defined, a hagwon is a facility providing instruction in knowledge, skills, or arts for 30 or more days to 10 or more learners or an unspecified number of learners, or serving as a learning facility for 30 or more days; Gyeonggi Province has 22,936 such facilities.
A gyoseupsso is a facility teaching knowledge, skills, or arts to students of elementary, middle, or high schools or equivalent institutions, or to test-preparation students for school admission or academic credential recognition; Gyeonggi Province has 10,155 such facilities.
Accordingly, these facilities must comply with eight rules: ▲designate an infection management officer ▲require all staff and learners to wear masks ▲prohibit persons with symptoms such as fever, sore throat, or cough from entering (staff must check twice daily) ▲prepare and maintain learner rosters (including names, contact information, entry/exit times, etc.) ▲require hand sanitization for all entrants ▲make efforts to maintain maximum spacing among learners ▲ensure periodic ventilation and disinfection and cleaning once before and after business ▲disinfect door handles, railings, and other frequently touched surfaces and objects.
Violations of the administrative order will result in ▲prosecution under the Infectious Disease Prevention Act (fines up to 3 million won) ▲complete business suspension for violating establishments ▲claims for reimbursement of all epidemiological expenses including investigation, testing, and treatment in case of confirmed cases resulting from violations. Under the current Infectious Disease Prevention Act, the Minister of Health and Welfare or provincial governors may restrict or prohibit assemblies or gatherings of multiple persons for disease prevention purposes.
This administrative order takes effect immediately and continues through March 6 when schools reopen. The province will provide a three-day guidance period through the 27th, after which it will begin intensive enforcement.
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