GOV'T HIGHLIGHTS SPECIAL QUARANTINE PERIOD

[Anchor Lead]

With many people expected to travel during the upcoming Chuseok holiday, health authorities are concerned of a new surge of coronavirus cases. The government is stressing that if the public abides by so-called special quarantine period during the holiday, the nation may be able to return to normal sooner than later.

[Pkg]

The government is urging the public to refrain from visiting hometowns during Chuseok this year to avoid exposing their elderly relatives to COVID-19. It has also pledged to not only ban any rallies slated for Hangeul Day and National Foundation Day, but also prevent all attempts to organize them.

[Soundbite] CHUNG SYE-KYUN(PRIME MINISTER) : "We will respond to illegal rallies with zero tolerance. We will block any attempt to threaten public health or hamper quarantine efforts."

The so-called special quarantine period begins nationwide starting today. Over the next two weeks, indoor gatherings of more than 50 people and outdoor events with more than 100 people will be banned. Local festivals or parties can be held on Chuseok only with a limited number of visitors. The gathering ban is still in place for 11 types of high-risk facilities in the Seoul metropolitan area including bars and clubs. In areas outside of the capital region, five types of entertainment facilities and direct sales promotion halls must be closed. Those who fail to comply will be subject to a maximum fine of 3 million won. If infections occur in those facilities, they will be ordered to cover treatment and disinfection costs. Partial re-opening will be permitted to 880 outdoor public sports facilities and 63 cultural facilities in Seoul.
d

[Soundbite] KIM HAK-JIN(SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT) : "Many citizens want public cultural facilities to reopen, as they are disinfected relatively better than private facilities."

Meanwhile, some 400 people are believed to have received flu vaccines that had been exposed to room temperature. Health authorities say they are monitoring their conditions daily.