Prime Minister Jeong "Considering Raising Social Distancing to Level 2 in the Seoul Metropolitan Area"

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwangho Lee] Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said on the 14th, "In Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, where confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) are rapidly increasing, prompt consideration should be given to quarantine response measures equivalent to raising social distancing to Level 2."

At an emergency meeting of ministers responding to cluster infections in the metropolitan area held at the Government Complex Sejong on the same day, Prime Minister Chung said, "For the first time in about four months, the daily number of domestic confirmed cases reached a record high yesterday. In particular, confirmed cases are rapidly increasing mainly in the densely populated metropolitan area, raising serious concerns about transmission to the local community."

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, as of 0:00 a.m. on the day, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases increased by 103 from the previous day to 14,873. By region, the metropolitan area accounted for 83 cases: 47 in Gyeonggi, 32 in Seoul, and 4 in Incheon. Other cases included 5 in Busan, 3 in Chungnam, 2 in Gwangju, and 1 each in Ulsan, Gangwon, and Gyeongbuk. The remaining 7 cases were identified during quarantine upon entry.

Prime Minister Chung mentioned, "At the basic local government level where confirmed cases are concentrated, active quarantine measures such as administrative orders should also be considered."

He emphasized, "This afternoon, the Medical Association plans to hold a large-scale rally, and some groups intend to proceed with large gatherings tomorrow, on Liberation Day. The Seoul Metropolitan Government and the National Police Agency should prohibit these gatherings and strictly respond to illegal acts violating this in accordance with laws and principles."