South Korea will strap tracking devices to the wrists of people who disobey quarantine mandates, officials said Saturday.
Production of the wristbands has been underway for two weeks after government monitors discovered phone records indicating some South Koreans had ventured out from their homes, The Associated Press reported.
Officials’ previous threats to trace citizens were batted down by human rights activists.
But the country’s health ministry said Saturday it decided to move forward with the surveillance because the number of people returning from other countries and under required 14-day quarantines has surged in the past two weeks.
Police and local administrative officials will enforce the program, the agency said.
On Friday, South Korea reported 27 new cases, its lowest after new daily diagnoses peaked at more than 900 in late February, according to Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The death toll rose by seven Friday to 211. Total cases stood at 10,480 Saturday.
