Due to the spread of coronavirus infectious disease-19 (hereinafter referred to as “COVID-19”), the subsistence risk of micro-enterprises, shutdown of manufacturing plants, and damage caused by the lack of medical facilities and hygiene products have occurred nationwide. In particular, the damage sustained by Daegu Metropolitan City and Gyeongsangbuk-do, had the largest number of COVID-19 confirmed cases, were severe enough to paralyze all economic activities.

As the need for government-level support for Daegu Metropolitan City and Gyeongsangbuk-do, the areas most damaged by COVID-19, is being raised, this Act aims to remedy and support COVID-19 infection damage in Daegu Metropolitan City and Gyeongsangbuk-do communities by specifying the composition and operation of the COVID-19 Damage Relief Committee and provisions of the support for the victims in Daegu Metropolitan City and Gyeongsangbuk-do.

Details

A. This Act aims to promote community economic revitalization and recovery by specifying provisions of relief and support for the victims of damage in Daegu Metropolitan City and Gyeongsangbuk-do due to the domestic influx and spread of COVID-19 (Article 1). 

B. “The Daegu and Gyeongbuk COVID-19 infection” refers to the spread of COVID-19 infection to the entire community of Daegu Metropolitan City and Gyeongsangbuk-do since February 18, 2020 when the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Daegu Metropolitan City (refers to the 31st confirmed case in Korea) (Article 2 2). 

C. Establish a COVID-19 Damage Relief Committee of nine members under the Prime Minister and allow establishment of a secretariat to handle the committee’s affairs to relieve and support the victims of the Daegu and Gyeongbuk COVID-19 infection (Articles 5 through 7)

D. Specify that any person who wants to be recognized for damages caused by the Daegu and Gyeongbuk COVID-19 infection shall apply in writing to the COVID-19 Damage Relief Committee within one year of the enforcement of this Act, and then, the COVID-19 Damage Relief Committee shall decide whether to recognize the victim and the subsidy within six months from the date of receiving the application (Article 9)

E. Require that the state shall provide victims with subsidies for substantial relief and allow paying a portion of subsidies first to vulnerable groups such as the disabled and low-income earners, who have economic difficulties (Articles 10 and 11)

F. The state, etc., shall establish and implement special support measures to revitalize the economy in Daegu Metropolitan City and Gyeongsangbuk-do, which has been stagnant due to the Daegu and Gyeongbuk COVID-19 infection and to treat the physical and mental damage of victims; shall implement programs to heal social conflicts and promote community unity between the victims and residents of Daegu Metropolitan City and Gyeongsangbuk-do; and may request necessary cooperation from public institutions, financial institutions, etc., to alleviate the financial burden of victims or normalize the management of small and medium-sized enterprises (Articles 12 through 16). 

As the need for government-level support for Daegu Metropolitan City and Gyeongsangbuk-do, the areas most damaged by COVID-19, is being raised, specify the composition and operation of the COVID-19 Damage Relief Committee and provisions for the relief and support of COVID-19 infection damage in Daegu Metropolitan City and Gyeongsangbuk-do.