Churches in South Korea resume services with strict prevention measures

South Korea’s large churches reopened on Sunday, requiring worshippers to keep their distance and wear masks, after the government relaxed restrictions on religious gatherings designed to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

Although the blockade has been lifted, many larger congregations have taken critical infection control measures, such as taking the temperature of attendees, to ensure that there is no resurgence of Covid-19.

According to Reuters, one of Seoul’s largest churches, Onnuri Church, limited attendance to 700 people despite having a sanctuary with a capacity of 3,000.

Members must register online before the service and sit in designated seats to maintain a safe distance from others.

South Korea has been praised for its unique response to the virus, which involved tracking all those who had been in close contact with an infected person, a method known as “contact tracing”.

This, combined with an extensive testing program, has helped keep infection rates low (just over 10,000 cases and 246 deaths), an extraordinary achievement considering that in February, there was an infection rate of just under 1000 per day.

There is a greater chance of infection in places such as churches

Last Sunday, South Korea extended its policy of social distancing until May 5, but offered some relief to religious and sports facilities that were previously subject to strict restrictions.

In February, when infections began to skyrocket, health officials began pointing to a church in Daegu City. Soon, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony (part of the controversial “Church of Jesus Shincheonji”) was labeled a “super spreader” after most of its congregation became infected.

Lee Man-hee, leader of the movement, apologized after it was confirmed that 60% of the cases in the country were related to his church.

“Although it was not intentional, many people have become infected,” the 88-year-old leader said at a press conference in March, falling to his knees in shame. “We put in our best efforts, but we couldn’t stop it all.”

There is a greater likelihood of infection in confined and dense places such as churches, clubs and bars, especially among the 20-year-olds who account for the majority of infected people. Jeong Eun-kyeong, director of the Korean Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC), said at a briefing.