Gyeonggi Province has changed the applicable time period of the COVID-19 administrative order pertaining to the Itaewon clubs in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, from a starting date of April 29 to April 24.

At an emergency briefing held on the morning of May 12, Gyeonggi Province Health Bureau Director General Kim Jae-hoon said, “After analyzing the first patient’s symptoms and the start date of club operations, we have decided to change the time period based on the results of the epidemiological investigation and the concurring opinion of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which indicate that it is appropriate to investigate contacts from April 24.”

Gyeonggi Province had previously (on May 10) ordered COVID-19 testing and interpersonal contact prohibition for those who entered related businesses, including clubs that confirmed patients had visited since April 29, and those who visited the sleeping room in Gangnam-gu, Seoul.

Accordingly, those with addresses, residences, workplaces or other connections in Gyeonggi Province who entered any of the six clubs (King Club, Queen, Trunk, The Fountain, Soho, H.I.M.) in Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, or the Black Sleeping Room in Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam-gu, after April 24 are required to visit a public health center as soon as possible for COVID-19 testing.

The prohibition on interpersonal contact is effective from the day after the last day of entry to such businesses up to a maximum of two weeks until confirmed free of infection. In addition, those deemed as having come in close contact may be subject to a separate quarantine order from related authorities.

Those who did not visit the clubs or sleeping room in question but with addresses, residences, workplaces or other connections in Gyeonggi Province and who have visited the Itaewon/Nonhyeon areas since April 24 are eligible for free COVID-19 testing at public health centers and screening clinics in Gyeonggi Province from May 11 to 17.

During this period, free COVID-19 testing will be provided without individuals being required to disclose visits to the related clubs or sleeping room. Provincial government authorities explained that this measure is geared to prevent discrimination against sexual minorities and makes it possible for members of sexual minorities to be tested without fear of repercussions.

The Gyeonggi Provincial Government emphasized that those who visited the Itaewon/Nonhyeon areas should immediately undertake the required COVID-19 testing and interpersonal contact prohibition, noting that if the spread of infection by such individuals is later determined, visits to the clubs in question will be confirmed during the epidemiological investigation of the first infected person.

According to figures provided by Gyeonggi Province on May 12, 808 people (in total) have voluntarily undergone COVID-19 testing in connection with the Itaewon clubs since the provincial administrative order for such testing was announced on May 10.