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Congregation members at a church in Seoul’s Gwanak District get tested at a local screening clinic on June 29 after a COVID-19 transmission cluster was discovered at their church.

Transmission clusters of COVID-19 involving small groups such as religious gatherings and interest clubs are on the rise. These small groups seem to be ignoring the principles of “everyday life disease prevention” and routine measures such as wearing masks. The situation has led to a dilemma: while the groups are more difficult to control through administrative authorities compared with high-risk crowd facilities, strict restrictions on gatherings raise the issue of infringement on basic rights.

On June 29, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) released findings from an epidemiological study of recent cluster infections. In the case of Wangsung Church in Seoul’s Gwanak District -- which accounted for a cumulative total of 28 infection cases as of noon that day -- it cited lax mask wearing practices in small gatherings before and after services, educational courses, and choir practices as a “risk factor” for transmission clusters. Also identified as risk factors were church dinners at Jesus Younggwang Church in Anyang, Gyeonggi Province (22 cases) and small gatherings among congregational members at Suwon Central Baptist Church in Suwon (seven cases).

The same day, it was confirmed that the infections of seven family members in the Gwangju/South Jeolla Province region the day before were linked to the Buddhist temple of Gwangreuk in Gwangju. The KCDC explained that the number of related cases had risen to 12 people, most of whom had been in contact with a particular monk at tea ceremonies and dharma meetings consisting of 30 to 40 people. In the Sujeong District of Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, seven patients were found to have been infected through a gathering of neighbors. Another cluster infection involving car aficionados was traced to small-scale indoor meetings in restaurants and bars.

Disaster response workers attempting to contact trace COVID-19 infections in South Jeolla Province replace their meals with uncooked instant noodles amid their hectic schedule on June 29. (Yonhap News)

Under the current “Level 1” category of social distancing, small gatherings of this kind are not subject to restrictions. Prohibitions on indoor gatherings of 50 or more people and outdoor gatherings of 100 or more people only enter effect during Level 2, which is implemented during a sustained increase in new diagnoses beyond the capacity of public healthcare systems. If a Level 3 situation (large-scale outbreak) is declared, gatherings of 10 or more people would be banned. Restrictions on the sizes of gathering have been or are being implemented in at least 17 countries worldwide, including the US, Taiwan, Singapore, Switzerland, and the UK.

For example, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended an eight-week ban on events and festivities involving 50 or more people on Mar. 16; on May 1, this was lowered to 10 or more people, with gatherings of under 50 people permitted in states where the rate of spreading is low.

Some observers are insisting that even if the Level 1 system remains in place, strong regulations are needed on the small religious gatherings where cluster infections have been especially frequent. But Son Yeong-rae, director of the KCDC’s strategy and planning team, explained that “banning gatherings of 10 or more people outright is a difficult decision to make, as it would infringe upon citizens’ basic rights.” Others have expressed concern that restricting small religious gatherings altogether would have a heavier emotional toll on older rather than younger people, as it would involve cutting off what amounts to the only avenue for social activity for many senior citizens.

“Church services have resumed after being suspended for nearly three months, but seniors are being recommended to participate in online services, and small gatherings have been suspended. It’s very depressing,” complained a 75-year-old resident of Seoul’s Gangdong District surnamed Kim.

For now, there appears to be little alternative but to rely on voluntary compliance with disease prevention rules.

“Realistically, it would appear to be impossible for the government to individually manage and oversee even small gatherings,” said Eom Joong-sik, a professor of infectious diseases at Gachon University Gil Medical Center.

“The only way to wage a long-term campaign against the coronavirus would be to discuss things with religious and other groups and institutions so that they can find and observe their own ways of distancing in small gatherings,” Eom suggested.

KCDC Director Jung Eun-kyeong said, “We recommend non-face-to-face activities as much as possible, but if in-person activities are necessary, the number of participants should be reduced, and you should not be having meals together or engaging in activities without masks, such as choir practice.”

By Choi Ha-yan, staff reporter

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