320 New COVID-19 Cases... Back to 300s After Three Days
Blue House & Government "Considering Raising to Level 3"... Public 'Frustrated'
Experts "Government Weighing to Avoid Contradictory Situation"
On the morning of the 24th, when Seoul City issued an administrative order mandating indoor and outdoor mask-wearing, citizens were seen wearing masks while moving through Sindorim Station subway/Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ga-yeon] Recently, as the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) has surged, public opinion calling for an escalation to social distancing level 3 to block the spread is growing strong. In particular, experts in the field of infectious diseases have expressed the opinion that raising to level 3 is inevitable, and the political circles are also raising the necessity of implementing level 3.
However, while the government said it would actively consider implementing level 3, it stated that it would make a cautious decision due to concerns about the economic impact. Level 3 prohibits gatherings of 10 or more people indoors and outdoors and involves the closure of high-risk facilities and multi-use facilities, so economic losses are expected to be inevitable.
Criticism is spreading over the government's postponement of the decision to implement social distancing level 3. It is argued that the government, which should protect the health and safety of the people, is making it difficult to take proactive measures to block the spread of COVID-19 by not making a decision, and rather increasing public anxiety.
Experts analyzed that when social distancing is raised to level 3, the government policy may face criticism for being contradictory, so it is emphasizing both quarantine and the economy.
As the resurgence has been intensifying with local infection cases continuing nationwide since the 14th, the infectious disease academic community has called for raising social distancing to level 3. The Korean Society of Infectious Diseases and related academic societies issued a statement on the 24th, saying, "As of the 23rd, nationwide social distancing is at level 2, but it is insufficient to respond to the current epidemic situation. Quarantine measures must be applied early to achieve sufficient effect," emphasizing the importance of implementing level 3.
The Blue House and quarantine authorities have recognized the COVID-19 spread as a serious emergency and have begun full discussions on implementing level 3.
President Moon Jae-in said at the Cabinet meeting held at the Blue House on the 25th, "As COVID-19 resurges, red lights have come on not only for quarantine but also for the economy. However, while strengthening quarantine, we cannot neglect the economy even for a moment," adding, "Quarantine and the economy are two rabbits that must be caught together."
This is the second time President Moon mentioned social distancing level 3, following his remarks at the Blue House senior secretaries and aides meeting on the 24th. On that day, President Moon said, "If we cannot stop it at this stage, social distancing will inevitably be raised to level 3," and emphasized, "Raising to level 3 is not a choice to be taken lightly. Daily life will come to a halt, jobs will collapse, and we must endure a tremendous economic blow."
Since President Moon mentioned the "two rabbits," it is interpreted as his intention to pursue a comprehensive response considering the economic situation rather than prioritizing quarantine alone.
Park Neung-hoo, First Deputy Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters. The photo shows First Deputy Park delivering an emergency government response statement regarding the Korean Medical Association's collective strike at the briefing room of the Government Seoul Office Building on the morning of the 26th. Photo by Yonhap News.
The quarantine authorities also stated that if the spread of COVID-19 is not stopped within this week, raising to level 3 is inevitable and that they are actively considering it.
Park Neung-hoo, the first head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH), said at the COVID-19 response CDSCH meeting at the Government Seoul Office on the 25th, "This week is a critical turning point to decide whether to raise social distancing to level 3," and expressed concern, "If level 3 starts, daily life will stop, and we must endure the hardship of jobs collapsing."
Yoon Tae-ho, head of the quarantine general team at the Central Accident Response Headquarters, also said at the COVID-19 response briefing at the Government Sejong Office in Sejong City on the same day, "The nationwide level 2 measures started yesterday, and although it is somewhat early to confirm the effect of level 2 in the metropolitan area, since the spread continues, we are currently actively considering level 3 as well," adding, "However, the immediate escalation to level 3 must be decided through discussions within the government."
A public opinion poll also showed that opinions are gathering in favor of raising social distancing to level 3 to block the spread of COVID-19.
According to a survey conducted by Realmeter on the 21st commissioned by YTN targeting 500 adults on the "necessity of strengthening social distancing to level 3," 55.9% of respondents answered, "It is a necessary measure to block the early spread of infection." Meanwhile, 40.1% responded, "I think it should be decided cautiously considering economic impacts, etc."
By political party, 65.8% of supporters of the Democratic Party of Korea and 46.7% of supporters of the United Future Party answered that "raising to level 3 is necessary."
However, citizens continue to criticize the government's attitude of "considering raising to level 3."
Previously, infectious disease experts emphasized proactive measures and urged the implementation of social distancing, repeatedly stressing that quarantine effects can only be seen 3 to 4 weeks after implementation. However, it is pointed out that the government took delayed measures such as strengthening social distancing to level 2 only after the resurgence began.
The government expanded social distancing level 2 nationwide only on the 23rd. Previously, level 2 was applied first only in Seoul and Gyeonggi areas from the 16th.
As a result, citizens continue to criticize the government for continuing discussions on raising to level 3 day after day. Since the resurgence has started with daily new confirmed cases exceeding 300 for 12 consecutive days recently, proactive measures are necessary, and it is argued that the public should not lower their vigilance until the number of confirmed cases drops to single or double digits.
In particular, it is pointed out that government-level measures are necessary because high-risk facilities such as pubs and clubs or outdoor gatherings cannot be forcibly restricted if the government does not impose prohibition measures.
On the morning of the 24th, citizens are lining up to get tested at the COVID-19 screening clinic set up at Seongbuk-gu Public Health Center in Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News
This public sentiment was also reflected in opinion polls. According to Realmeter on the 24th, based on a survey commissioned by YTN conducted over four days from the 18th targeting 2,511 voters nationwide, President Moon's negative evaluation of state affairs was 50.8%. This is the third consecutive week recording over 50%, following 52.4% in the first week of August and 52.6% in the second week of August.
Experts emphasized that although there is a clear concern that the economy will shrink if social distancing is raised to level 3, it is necessary to show a strong stance for quarantine.
Political commentator Lee Jong-hoon said in a phone interview with Asia Economy on the 26th, "(Although the government is considering raising to level 3) if level 3 is implemented, economic activities will be excessively contracted," adding, "If quarantine levels are raised and the economy shrinks, it becomes a contradictory situation because disaster relief fund discussions are also emerging to stimulate the domestic economy in the current difficult economic situation. That is why it is currently weighing the options."
He explained, "(If raised to level 3) on one hand, money is being distributed to encourage spending, while on the other hand, regulations prevent businesses from operating. It is contradictory, so they are struggling with it, and that is why they say quarantine and the economy must be managed simultaneously," adding, "In the current situation, it helps increase approval ratings if the president shows a strong response to the COVID-19 spread."
Meanwhile, according to the Central Disease Control Headquarters, as of 12 noon on the day, the number of new domestic confirmed cases was 320. The cumulative number of confirmed cases reached 18,265.
Since the resurgence of COVID-19 began on the 14th, the daily number of confirmed cases has been in the triple digits for 13 consecutive days. In particular, from the 21st to the 23rd, the number of new confirmed cases recorded 324, 332, and 397 respectively, marking three consecutive days in the 300s. After dropping to the 200s on the 24th and 25th, it rose again to the 300s on the day.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
