Greetings, everyone, and thank you for joining us for this week’s edition of GTV. I’m Don Valiant and this is the news from Gyeonggi Province this week. 1. Gyeonggi Operates COVID-19 Consumer Relief Center (0310-3) On March 9, Gyeonggi Province opened a consultation center for residents who face COVID-19-related disputes with service providers such as wedding halls and travel agents. To be operated temporarily until the end of April, this center will help applicants with the settlement of disputes relating to service reservations through arbitration. Known as the COVID-19 Consumer Relief Center, it can be reached by calling 1372. Accepted applicants will be assisted by specialists including lawyers throughout the arbitration process.   2. COVID-19 Response Team Regular Briefing on March 9 (0309-1) With the COVID-19 outbreak spreading from isolated individuals to local communities in Korea, especially through hospitals and religious gatherings, the Gyeonggi Province COVID-19 Response Team held its second regular briefing on March 9. ► Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex (March 9) Gyeonggi Province COVID-19 Response Team Briefing During the briefing, a COVID-19 Response Team representative outlined the infection situation at Bundang Jesaeng (분당제생) Hospital in Seongnam (성남) City. ► 13 Confirmed Carriers Contacted 517 Individuals After completing tests on all inpatients, personnel, caretakers and contracted workers at the hospital, 13 individuals were confirmed as infected. These individuals were known to have contacted 517 persons collectively. ► Lee Hui-yeong, Chief of Gyeonggi Province COVID-19 Response Team “We will monitor the test results of those who were contacted by infected individuals as well as suspected cases and intensify monitoring of those with symptoms. We will end the monitoring of inpatients without further tests during the period of exposure if they were discharged from hospitals based on negative test results after 14 days of isolation. However, if they still have symptoms, additional tests will be performed before monitoring is ended. ► 151 Confirmed Cases in Gyeonggi as of March 9 As of 12AM on March 9, there were 151 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Gyeonggi, of which 23 had been discharged while 127 were still being treated in isolation. ► 238 Beds Secured, 93 Available A total of 238 beds have been secured for COVID-19 patients at designated hospitals and public hospitals in Gyeonggi, of which 93 are currently available. There were also 17 patients who were transferred to Gyeonggi from the Daegu (대구) metropolitan area. ► COVID-19 Response Team Chief Confirms Spread of Infection to Local Communities in Gyeonggi During the briefing, the joint chief of the response team confirmed that the outbreak has entered the local community transmission phase in the province and urged the public to change modes of religious worship. ► Lee Hui-yeong, Joint Chief of Gyeonggi Province COVID-19 Response Team “Under current circumstance in which people’s lives and safety are threatened by COVID-19, I ask you to change modes of religious worship to those observed at home.” He also affirmed that the team is working continuously with related organizations, citing discussions it has held with 10 general hospitals in the province regarding treatment of serious cases, security of beds and the operation of treatment centers.   3. Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly Raises COVID-19 Response Funds (0310-2) With the COVID-19 outbreak continuing for more than 50 days, members and personnel of the Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly voluntarily raised funds to help Daegu (대구) City residents overcome the crisis. ► 141 Members and 253 Office Personnel of Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly Participated Responding to a proposal made at an emergency response meeting of the Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly, all 141 members and 253 personnel of the assembly voluntarily participated in this fund-raising initiative through unanimous agreement. ► Solidarity to Overcome Crisis A representative of the emergency response headquarters of the Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly explained that this fund-raising initiative reflects a desire for solidarity in overcoming the national crisis. ► Song Han-jun, Chief, Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly Emergency Response Headquarters “We are the people who donated gold and were able to overcome the national economic crisis (in 1998). I believe that the Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly can take the initiative to unite residents in overcoming the COVID-19 crisis just as we did previously.” ► Yeon Jong-hyeon, Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly Member (Democratic Party) “We would like to show you that the Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly and its emergency response headquarters are determined to do all that we can.” ► Jeong Hui-si, Joint Chief, Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly Emergency Response Team “I hope that the modest amount we donated through united efforts will help overcome the COVID-19 crisis. I also hope that our efforts will inspire the Gyeonggi provincial administration, provincial organizations and the 31 local autonomies of the province to initiate similar fund-raising efforts for overcoming the national crisis.” The collected funds, which amounted to KRW 13,350,000, were delivered to the Gyeonggi branch of the Korean Red Cross and will be used for Daegu (대구) City residents and working-class people in Gyeonggi Province. The Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly is also engaging in various activities through its emergency response headquarters to help minimize suffering stemming from COVID-19.   4. Drive-thru COVID-19 Testing Centers Established in Gyeonggi (0309-2) Gyeonggi Province established drive-thru COVID-19 testing centers to improve efficiency in disease control by enabling people to be tested quickly and safely while in their own vehicles. ► Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex (February 28) Emergency Press Conference on COVID-19 Outbreak Response Plans With the COVID-19 outbreak persisting and the number of persons wishing to be tested increasing in Korea, Gyeonggi Province has introduced an innovative testing system. ► Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung “Gyeonggi Province will establish drive-thru testing centers with swift testing capabilities in southern and northern regions of the province.” ► Drive-thru COVID-19 Testing Centers These testing centers will work in a manner similar to the drive-thru services offered by fast food restaurants. ► Oral Inquiry, Sample Collection and Disinfection Performed While Subjects Wait in Vehicles These centers will be able to perform all testing procedures from oral inquiry to sample collection and disinfection while the individuals who wish to be tested remain in their vehicles. ► Testing Time, Medical Staff Infection Risk and Cross Infection Risk Reduced At the drive-thru testing centers, testing procedures can be completed in 15 minutes instead of the hour usually required at medical institutes. This system also reduces infection risk for medical staff as well as cross infection risk. ► Drive-thru COVID-19 Testing Stations Begin Operation The drive-thru testing centers, which can perform swift and safe COVID-19 tests, began full operation at a southern site and a northern site in Gyeonggi Province. ► Lee Hui-yeong, Joint Chief, Gyeonggi Province COVID-19 Response Team “When individuals who suspect infection visit the testing center, medical staff will perform personal identification checks, oral inquiries, and sample collection, and also distribute instruction leaflets and medicines in sequence as drivers move their vehicles along the testing route.” ► Located at Parking Lots of Suwon World Cup Stadium and North Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex Operating in parking lots of the Suwon World Cup Stadium and the North Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex from 9AM to 8PM, these testing centers consist of ten stations including negative pressure equipment. ► Reservation: Gyeonggi Province Call Center (☎ 031-120) Those who wish to be tested must make reservations in advance by calling the Gyeonggi Province Call Center.   5. Gyeonggi Province COVID-19 Response Team Briefing of March 11 (0311-1) On March 11, the Gyeonggi Province COVID-19 Response Team held its regularly scheduled briefing and disclosed the appearance of new cases as well as provincial response measures. A GTV reporter attended the briefing. ► Gyeonggi Provincial Government Complex (March 11) Gyeonggi Province COVID-19 Response Team Briefing As of 12 am of March 11, there were 174 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Gyeonggi Province, an increase of 12 over the previous day. Of these, 26 individuals were discharged from the hospital while 147 were being treated in isolation ► Confirmed Contact of 45 Gyeonggi Residents with COVID-19 Carriers at Guro-gu Call Center in Seoul While group infection at a call center in Seoul raised concern among local residents, it was revealed that 45 residents of Gyeonggi Province had been in contact with related individuals. During the briefing, Gyeonggi Province disclosed response measures in connection with this group infection. ► Gyeonggi to Establish Gyeonggi-style Treatment Center The province plans to establish a Gyeonggi-style treatment center for mild cases. This center will concentrate on helping affected individuals return to their daily lives. ► Lim Seung-gwan, Joint Chief, Gyeonggi Province Response Team “We are working with Seoul National University Bundang Hospital on the establishment of a (Gyeonggi-style) treatment center.” ► ‘Preventive Cohort Isolation’ Plan Gyeonggi Province also disclosed that it is proactively pursuing the preventive cohort isolation of vulnerable groups including seniors and those with disabilities at more than 1,800 facilities. ► Lim Seung-gwan, Joint Chief, Gyeonggi Province Response Team “Gyeonggi Province’s preventive cohort isolation plan is different in that it aims to protect those who are more vulnerable to the disease from possibly contracting the virus for prescribed periods.” ► Gyeonggi to Establish COVID-19 Quarantine Support Team In addition, Gyeonggi Province plans to establish a COVID-19 Quarantine Support Team comprised of medical and related specialists to deal more assertively with those who refuse to comply with provincial quarantine measures. GTV will continue to follow the regular COVID-19 briefing held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday regarding daily occurrences and provincial response measures.   6. Gwangneung Forest, an Ecological Haven (0312-3) With Korea seriously impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak, people are reluctant to leave their homes. However, GTV recommends Gwangneung (광릉) Forest, a biosphere reserve designated by UNESCO 10 years ago, as a getaway destination at which to enjoy nature and clean air. ► 10th Anniversary of Gwangneung Forest Biosphere Reserve Designation With its biodiversity regarded as being among the greatest in Korea, Gwangneung (광릉) Forest is home to a number of rare plant and animal species including the indigenous lady’s slipper, woodpecker, long-horned beetle and flying squirrel. This forest was designated as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO in June 2010. ► GTV Reporter Kim Tae-hui “I am now in Gwangneung Forest. This forest is one of the biosphere reserves designated by UNESCO. I am walking through a forest of firs that are more than 90 years old. The phytoncide that these trees generate is known to be good for health since it has calming effects.” Gwangneung (광릉) Forest is popular among people of all ages. ► Kim Do-yeon, Visitor from Uijeongbu City “The air is cool and fresh here.” These visitors look refreshed after walking through the forest. ► Kim Hui-seon, Visitor from Uijeongbu City "I feel great, as if my body has absorbed the essence of the trees. My mind is calm, simply happy with the fact that I am alive and can breathe.” ► Gyeonggi Establishes Gwangneung Forest Management Task Force On the 10th anniversary of biosphere reserve designation, Gyeonggi Province will begin operation of the Gwangneung (광릉) Forest Management Task Force to systematically oversee the forest since it will now be subject to regular evaluations. ► Lee Seong-gyu, Director, Gyeonggi Province Forestry Division We will operate and promote diverse educational programs for young students. We will endeavor to foster pride among local residents for living in a biosphere reserve.” ► Gyeonggi Invites Public Participation in Naming 4-Kilometer Gwangneung Forest Trail Gyeonggi Province is currently receiving public suggestions for the name of a 4-kilometer-long trail around Gwangneung (광릉) Forest. Applications are being received via the ‘Voice of Gyeonggi-do’ website until March 29.   7. Gyeonggi Governor Visits Mast Factory (0310-1) With the COVID-19 outbreak, Koreans are experiencing great difficulties in purchasing masks. During his visit to a mask factory, Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung (이재명) stated that he seeks to supply masks to the public free of charge with the cost borne by the province when related requirements including KFDA approval are cleared. ► Ji-dong, Suwon City (March 9) On the first day of the ‘designated mask purchasing day by age’ system, few people could purchase masks since they sold out early. ► Conversation with Mask Purchaser “Could you purchase masks on your first visit?” / “Yes, I could.” “How did you know when the masks would be available?” / “I saw a notice when I was going to work.” Most pharmacies already display signs indicating that they have sold out of masks. ► Pharmacist “Even though I posted ‘masks sold out’ signs on the window, enquiries came all day.” At a pharmacy in a less populated area, masks sold out early. Those who visited in the afternoon had to be turned away. ► Governor Lee Visits Mask Factory in Anseong City Seeking to address the mask shortage, Governor Lee visited a mask factory in Anseong (안성) City. ► Increase in Mask Production Discussed Governor Lee discussed ways in which to increase mask production with the manufacturer. He proposed using diverse types of filters in the masks as well as producing masks without filters as a solution to existing filter shortages. ► Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung “The non-production situation due to material shortages may last for weeks. Am I right?” / “Yes.” “If you are willing to produce low quality masks instead of shutting down production altogether, can your factory handle that?” / “Yes, we can.” Governor Lee also revealed that he will pursue the purchase of large quantities of masks for free supply to the public through the settlement of necessary procedures including KFDA approval. ► Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung “If possible, Gyeonggi Province will invest in the production of large quantities. We will place orders, make purchases at our expense and supply masks free of charge. Let’s prepare to do that.” During his visit to the mask factory, Governor Lee also offered his assurances for regulatory mitigation of factory expansion as well as for other support including manpower supply. This also means that Gyeonggi Province is prepared to utilize whatever administrative power is required to increase mask production. Thank you for joining us for this week’s edition of GTV. We look forward to seeing you again next week.