The second performer of the show identified positive with coronavirus. The organizers subject its 128 casts and crew to undergo the test after one cast showed symptoms and the result is positive.
The 80 casts and crew staff are negative with the test as of today. While the rest of 46 members are waiting for their results. But the organizers assured everyone that all are quarantined for 14 days even if the results are not complete.
Following the results of 2 members are positive. The city government of Seoul released a statement. That they are now monitoring all 8,578 audiences who came in to watch.
The Seoul City's public health official director Na Baek-Joo mentioned in the meeting. That they are sending mobile text messages for strict compliance. The people monitored should do social distancing. To have each of them subject to testing of the coronavirus.
"We have the list of all the audiences and will send out text messages," director Na Baek-Joo announced during their briefing broadcast 11 AM Friday.
Furthermore, it was identified that the first cast was a female ballet dancer from Canada. The second cast is an American actor. All received results for positive infection this week.
The director of the city health office added that the Canadian ballet dancer arrived in Korea last March 12 and after 2 days she went on stage for the show. The ballet dancer showed symptoms within the week of performing and took the test on March 19. The results came on March 31. The ballet dancer carried out her show from March 14 to 30.
Blue Square Interpark Hall in the Itaewon area as the venue already underwent disinfection and closed from April 1 to 14. Meanwhile, the cast staying in Somerset Palace Hotel is closed for new guests to check-in and all people are asked to stay inside their room.
"As of April 3, a total of 128 people have come in contact, with 71 foreigners participating in the performance and 57 Korean nationals who are actors and staff", Na continued in the briefing.
The health department followed through with sending the text messages to inform 8,578 viewers. One spectator shared "I found out about the government monitoring of audiences on news around 5 PM. I received a text message from the Seoul government after."
"The Phantom of the Opera" world tour production organizers released an apology statement. Through their social media account right after the city health officials briefing on Friday.
"We sincerely apologize for causing trouble to the audience and nearby community by not checking conditions of the actors and to the audience members who waited for a long time who cannot see the show," from the production team post.
Currently, South Korea in numbers infected 10,062 cases; deaths 174 and recovered 6,021. The government of South Korea is now implementing a new policy last Wednesday. Which requires all arrivals to undergo quarantine especially overseas travel even for Korean nationals. The strict policy will subject the travelers to get home quarantine or use a designated government facility for 2 weeks.
