Park Neung-hoo "Switching to everyday distancing is not the end of COVID-19... Citizens must continue their efforts"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] As the government decided to shift the 'social distancing' measures to 'everyday distancing' starting from the 6th, Park Neung-hoo, the 1st Deputy Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Minister of Health and Welfare), urged on the 5th that this measure does not signify the end of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) and requested continued efforts in distancing.

In his opening remarks at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) meeting held at the Government Seoul Office on the 5th, Deputy Head Park said, "From tomorrow, we will transition to everyday distancing to harmonize daily life and quarantine." The government will end the social distancing measures that have been in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 on this day and switch to everyday distancing starting the 6th. Some facilities will gradually resume operations, and events and gatherings will be allowed in principle while adhering to quarantine guidelines.

Deputy Head Park explained that this measure means, "Everyday distancing does not signify the end of COVID-19 but guarantees social and economic activities while making each citizen and our society as a whole responsible actors in quarantine." He added, "We are about to take new steps on the path of 'harmonizing daily life and quarantine,' which no country has yet succeeded in," emphasizing, "If the high civic awareness and distancing efforts shown by the public so far continue, we can approach the success of everyday distancing."

He also added that children actively cooperated as key participants in COVID-19 quarantine efforts. Deputy Head Park said, "Children must have wanted to meet their friends and play without masks, but they endured well," and expressed, "I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to the children."

During the meeting, detailed implementation plans and publicity measures related to the everyday distancing guidelines were discussed. The CDSCH requested each ministry to carefully prepare plans to ensure that the everyday distancing guidelines are well observed in daily life and on the ground. It also emphasized the need to continuously collect public opinions and make improvements to ensure the smooth implementation of everyday distancing.