Military bans all personnel from vacationing for two weeks due to COVID-19

2020-08-18 41

국방부 "모든 부대 휴가 2주간 잠정 중지"…코로나19 대책 강화, 한미연합훈련 축소

The South Korean military has also taken steps to stop the spread.
All troops have been confined to base, with leave canceled and visits halted.
And an annual joint military exercise with the U.S. began today, having been delayed by two days after a participant was confirmed to be infected.
Kim Ji-yeon reports.
The South Korean military has strengthened its social distancing measures following a surge in coronavirus cases in the country.
Seoul's defense ministry said it'll ban all enlisted soldiers and ranking officers from taking leave off-base or vacationing... for 13 days starting Wednesday.
"In order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the South Korean military has expanded the level two social distancing measure to all bases starting Wednesday. Vacationing will be prohibited for two weeks and taking leave off-base will be limited unless authorized by a commanding officer."
Social gatherings during off-duty hours... as well as visiting high-risk facilities such as bars and pubs, sauna rooms and internet cafes are also banned.
All service personnel and their family members are prohibited from participating in religious activities held off-base... and are encouraged to switch to on-line services.
A ban on on-base visits... which was implemented in February... will continue to be applied.
On Tuesday morning, the military reported two additional coronavirus cases... a soldier stationed in Gapyeong and a civilian worker for a military intelligence unit.
Since the start of the outbreak, the military has seen a total of 88 cases, of which 78 have recovered and 10 are still receiving treatment.
Meanwhile, South Korea and the U.S. initiated their annual joint summertime military exercise on Tuesday.
That exercise runs until the 28th.
"Initially the exercise was to begin on Sunday, August 16th, but it was pushed back by two days after a participant was confirmed to have COVID-19.
Kim Ji-yeon, Arirang News."