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| U.S. Forces Korea Commander Gen. Robert Abrams / Korea Times file |
By Jung Min-ho
U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) has banned personnel from traveling to and from Daegu after a spike in new coronavirus cases there.
"All service members' non-essential travel to and from Daegu will be prohibited, and off-installation travel minimized; I highly request all family members, civilians and contractors do likewise regarding their travel as well," USFK Commander Gen. Robert Abrams said Thursday (KST).
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) has confirmed more than 50 additional cases of the COVID-19 virus since Wednesday, saying most are from the city and the surrounding North Gyeongsang Province.
A member of a religious sect called "Shincheonji" is blamed for the surge.
"All service members who've attended the New World Church (Shincheonji) since Feb. 9 will undergo a mandatory self-quarantine ― and it is highly recommended for family members, civilians and contractors ― until the KCDC completes their contact trace procedures to determine who has been exposed to COVID-19," Abrams said.
"All USAG-Daegu and Area IV schools, child development centers, and child and youth services activities will be closed Thursday, and we will make a decision regarding a Friday closure tomorrow."
Visitors who are not performing essential missions or official business will be denied access to USAG-Daegu and Area IV military installations for 24 hours from Thursday. The directive will be reassessed every 24 hours, according to the military.
So far, no U.S. service members or their families have contracted the virus, which has killed more than 2,100 people and infected over 75,000 people around the world, mostly in mainland China, in the past few weeks.
"I want to emphasize the care and well-being of our Daegu service members, families and civilians is a top priority of mine," Abrams said.
"Finally, good hygiene practice is the best preventive measure to controlling the spread of viruses. We must protect the force and our community by maintaining our 'Fight Tonight' readiness."
