Concerns Over Regional Spread of COVID-19, Lee Jae-myung Says "Now We Need a Cast Net, Not Fishing"

[Asia Economy (Reporter Lee Young-gyu)] "If we previously practiced 'fishing' (individual management centered on confirmed cases), now we need to use a 'casting net' (expanded management focused on areas where confirmed cases occur) in places with risk."

On the 19th, Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, held an emergency inspection meeting on the response posture to prevent community spread at the governor's on-site situation room in front of the Defense Language Institute in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province, emphasizing, "Gyeonggi Province has proactively responded in various ways even in situations where community infection is a concern, and will continue to set exemplary precedents."

The meeting was held urgently to inspect the community quarantine situation due to a sudden increase of as many as 15 confirmed cases centered around the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions.

Governor Lee thoroughly checked the progress of the pneumonia patient full survey conducted independently by the province, the status of securing testing facilities and isolation wards in preparation for community infection, and COVID-19 response measures such as the supply of masks and hand sanitizers.

He stated, "If community infection becomes a reality, it will be difficult to track and manage confirmed cases, so the response method must change. Previously, we practiced 'fishing,' but now we need to use a 'casting net' in places with risk. It is necessary to strengthen management of risk areas."

However, Governor Lee warned against excessive anxiety about COVID-19 leading to a contraction of economic activities.

He said, "Although concerns are growing due to this situation, our quarantine system is maintained and operated so robustly that the world praises it. Quarantine should be strict and even excessive, but on the other hand, it is not right for everyday economic activities to be excessively contracted due to excessive fear. Quarantine should be strict and excessive, while everyday economic activities need to shift to a rational direction."

Governor Lee also raised the need to expand the usage scope of the disaster management fund.

He ordered, "Large-scale infectious diseases are clearly disasters, but the usage of the disaster management fund is limited, causing many difficulties. The same applies to African swine fever, so please consider expanding the usage scope of the fund in such cases and prepare countermeasures."