Pyeongtaek City Issues Administrative Order for COVID-19 Testing on Sarang Jeil Church Worshipers and Gwanghwamun Rally Participants

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Seo Dong-young] Pyeongtaek City issued a strengthened administrative order on the 19th requiring COVID-19 diagnostic tests for Pyeongtaek residents who attended worship services and rallies at Sarang Jeil Church in Seoul and in the Gwanghwamun area, surpassing the Gyeonggi Province directive.

The maximum incubation period for COVID-19 is 14 days, with the most contagious period occurring between 5-7 days. For those who attended the rally on the 15th, the measure ensures that testing must be conducted by no later than the 25th.

Those who participated in worship services or small group meetings at Seoul's Sarang Jeil Church since the 7th must be tested by the 22nd at health centers in Pyeongtaek (including the Anjung Health Clinic), rally participants from the 8th gathering at Seoul's Gyeongbokgung Palace and Gwanghwamun area must be tested by the 22nd, and those from the 15th rally must be tested by the 25th.

A Pyeongtaek City health official stated, "The situation regarding regional transmission, centered in the Seoul metropolitan area, is very serious, and we issued a prompt administrative order. In the case of Pyeongtaek, as a result of testing participants from Seoul's Sarang Jeil Church worship services and Gwanghwamun rallies, four confirmed cases have emerged to date, leading us to take these measures."

Those who violate the administrative order may face imprisonment of up to two years or a fine of up to 20 million won under applicable laws and regulations, and all quarantine-related expenses including testing, investigation, and treatment costs resulting from violations may be subject to cost recovery claims.