Only Unvaccinated Cohabitants and Close Contacts in Vulnerable Facilities Among Contacts to Self-Quarantine
Retroactive Application to Previously Managed Subjects
[Asia Economy Reporters Ki Ha-young, Kim Young-won] Starting tomorrow, the isolation period for COVID-19 confirmed cases will be adjusted to '7 days from the date of specimen collection,' regardless of vaccination status. Additionally, even if exposed to a confirmed case, only 'household members who are not fully vaccinated' and 'close contacts in infection-vulnerable facilities' will be required to self-isolate.
The Central Disease Control Headquarters announced on the 8th that, in response to the rapid increase in confirmed cases following the dominance of the Omicron variant, changes to the management criteria for confirmed cases and close contacts, scheduled to take effect from the 9th, will be implemented as such.
Isolation Period for Confirmed Cases: 7 Days from Specimen Collection Date
First, the isolation period for confirmed cases will be adjusted to 7 days from the specimen collection date, regardless of symptoms or vaccination status. Previously, the isolation period was 7 days for fully vaccinated individuals and 10 days for those not fully vaccinated, but from tomorrow, it will be unified to 7 days for all. The calculation of the isolation period also changes; previously, symptomatic cases were counted from the symptom onset date, and asymptomatic cases from the confirmation date, but now the period will be calculated from the specimen collection date regardless of symptom presence.
The initially confirmed individual will be released from isolation after completing the 7-day isolation and can resume daily life. For the following 3 days, only precautionary measures must be observed, and even if a rapid antigen test returns positive, daily activities are permitted.
Only Unvaccinated Household Members and Close Contacts in Infection-Vulnerable Facilities Among Contacts Must Self-Isolate
'Contacts subject to isolation' are limited to unvaccinated household members and close contacts in infection-vulnerable facilities. Other facility close contacts are subject to self-management.
Isolation for household members of confirmed cases is also simplified. Previously, isolation notifications were issued individually to confirmed cases and their household members, but from tomorrow, household members will receive a joint 7-day isolation notification through the confirmed case. Fully vaccinated individuals are exempt from mandatory joint isolation and will be managed under passive monitoring. Fully vaccinated individuals are those who are between 14 and 90 days after their second dose or have received a third dose. Those under passive monitoring may continue daily life but must get tested at a nearby or local public health center if symptoms such as fever or respiratory issues develop during the monitoring period.
When the confirmed case is released from isolation, household members are also released from isolation and passive monitoring. For the next 3 days, they must voluntarily follow lifestyle rules such as wearing a KF94 mask at all times. However, isolation can be lifted before the end of passive monitoring if a negative PCR test result is confirmed. There is no additional isolation for unvaccinated household members after the confirmed case’s isolation ends.
Furthermore, if additional confirmed cases occur during joint isolation, only the newly confirmed individuals will undergo a 7-day isolation without additional isolation for other household members. The changes to the management criteria for confirmed cases and contacts, scheduled to take effect on the 9th, can also be applied retroactively to existing management subjects.
Voting Rights of Confirmed Cases... Health Authorities "Preparing Consultations with Relevant Ministries"
Meanwhile, as the 20th presidential election approaches in March, calls to guarantee voting rights for confirmed cases are growing louder. This concern arises because if a person is confirmed positive between March 6, after early voting, and the election day on the 9th, both self-isolating confirmed cases and those admitted to residential treatment centers currently have no way to vote.
On the same day, President Moon Jae-in also instructed at a staff meeting, "Voting rights must be guaranteed for COVID-19 confirmed cases and self-isolating individuals who are able to vote," and "Relevant agencies should promptly finalize measures to ensure that citizens can exercise their voting rights without disruption."
In response, a representative from the Central Disease Control Headquarters explained, "We are still awaiting the decision of the National Election Commission and are preparing consultations with relevant ministries," adding, "We will develop and announce voting measures that allow confirmed cases to vote as safely as possible."
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