Covid-19: Seoul closes churches to contain a new wave of infections

Cases are growing, especially in the capital. The total number of infected has reached 16,058. The new hotbed of infection is the pseudo-Christian sect Sarang Jeil, which on August 15 gathered tens of thousands of people to protest against the government.

Seoul (AsiaNews / Agencies) - To contain a possible new wave of infections from Covid-19, the authorities yesterday imposed the closure of places of worship, including churches, in the metropolitan area of ​​the capital. South Korea is considered one of the countries that has best managed the pandemic, but in recent days the cases of infection have started to rise again.

The National Infectious Disease Control Center registered 297 new coronavirus patients today, bringing the total to 16,058. With 568 infections, the largest center in the spread of the disease is the pseudo-Christian sect Sarang Jeil, based in northern Seoul.

On August 15, against the government's instructions, the leader of the religious group, pastor Jun Kwang-hoon, organized a mass meeting to celebrate Liberation Day and to criticize the executive of President Moon Jae-in. The rally was attended by tens of thousands of people.

Another sect, the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, was the first outbreak of the disease in the country, also generating the largest number of infected (5,200).

• south korea
• seoul
• pandemic
• covid-19
• virus
• coronavirus
• lockdown
• sarang jeil
• new infections
• outbreak
• contagions
• moon jae-in
• churches
• places of worship