Authorities in South Korea’s popular holiday destination Jeju Island are suing two tourists for visiting after one tested positive for covid-19.
The Korean mother and daughter travelled to the island province even though the daughter was asked to self-quarantine after returning from the US.
They travelled to Jeju and the 19-year-old daughter tested positive a day after their trip.
They are facing a lawsuit claiming damages of more than KRW100 million (about US$82,000).
"Despite having symptoms from day one they went ahead. As a result, more than 20 businesses were forced to temporarily close and over 90 residents were placed under quarantine," Jeju Province Gov. Won Hee-ryong said.
"If any Jeju resident is found to have contracted the virus from the two, the province will file a criminal complaint," he added.
The daughter arrived back in Korea on March 15 when a two-week self-isolation was voluntary and not enforced at the time.
Jeju Province has reported nine coronavirus cases so far.
