[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] While major countries took strict measures such as closing commercial facilities and restricting movement to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), South Korea responded through quarantine management and once again attracted international attention as the number of new confirmed cases decreased.
On the 17th, the British BBC compared and presented how much the proportion of people using public transportation and walking has decreased in major cities around the world recently after the spread of COVID-19, based on data from the public transportation information application 'Citymapper.' The cities compared include Milan (Italy), Madrid (Spain), Paris (France), New York (USA), London (UK), S?o Paulo (Brazil), Istanbul (Turkey), Moscow (Russia), Sydney (Australia), Singapore (Singapore), Stockholm (Sweden), and Seoul (South Korea).
According to the data, except for Stockholm and Seoul, 10 cities implemented measures such as movement restrictions sequentially from early March at the earliest, reducing mobility to around 90% below normal levels. Stockholm and Seoul, instead of movement restrictions, recommended government-level social distancing while maintaining the operation of shops such as cafes and restaurants. As a result, Stockholm's mobility dropped to less than half of normal levels since mid-last month but did not reach lockdown levels. Seoul also consistently maintained mobility at about 50% of normal levels from early last month until the 13th of this month.
However, in Sweden, as the number of new confirmed cases surged recently, there are calls to change the government policy, which had neglected movement restrictions by emphasizing 'citizens' sense of responsibility.' On the other hand, South Korea is entering a calming phase, with daily new cases recently falling below 30. Seoul has also recently reported single-digit new cases.
BBC evaluated, "Seoul also saw reduced movement but did not come to a halt like other European capitals," adding, "This is the result of the government and quarantine authorities focusing on quarantine and management without enforcing strict controls."
Some European countries, judging that the number of confirmed cases has peaked due to movement restrictions, are gradually considering reopening shops and allowing school reopening. The South Korean government is also reviewing plans to either transition to daily life quarantine or ease some guidelines and extend social distancing measures ahead of the scheduled end of 'enhanced social distancing' on the 19th. The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters plans to gather opinions from the Life Quarantine Committee, industry sites, local governments, and related ministries to make a decision over the weekend.
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