"Level 2.5, 1-Week Extension" COVID-19 Quarantine Last Stand

Prime Minister Jeong: "Premature Easing Could Trigger Crisis"

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun is delivering opening remarks at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting on COVID-19 held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 4th. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] The enhanced social distancing level 2 measures applied in the Seoul metropolitan area will be extended for another week. These measures, which are stricter than the existing level 2 and are referred to as "level 2.5," were originally scheduled to last until the 6th but will now be extended until the 13th. Although the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) has slowed, the government has judged that it is necessary to maintain the current enhanced social distancing level as the number of new daily confirmed cases still remains in the triple digits.

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun stated at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting held on the 4th, "Although the number of confirmed cases has somewhat decreased recently, we have not yet entered a definite stabilization phase," adding, "Rather than hastily easing quarantine measures and causing a crisis, we must make every effort until a clear turnaround is achieved."

With this extension, the level 2.5 social distancing, which is stricter than the level 2 measures implemented since the 30th of last month, will be applied for a total of fifteen days until the 13th of this month. In non-metropolitan areas, the level 2 social distancing measures, which have been in effect since the 23rd of last month, will also be extended for two weeks, making a total duration of one month. However, depending on the situation next week, further extensions cannot be ruled out. The extension of level 2.5 is a strong quarantine measure that halts many aspects of our society and causes significant damage to the livelihoods of ordinary people, so it was not an easy decision for the government. Nevertheless, it is understood that the government judged quarantine to be the most urgent priority under the current circumstances.

Meanwhile, as of 0:00 this morning, 198 new COVID-19 cases were reported, marking two consecutive days below 200. The number of patients currently isolated and receiving treatment decreased by more than 50 from the previous day to 4,728. This means that more patients have recovered or been released from isolation than new patients, marking the first decline in isolated patients in 23 days since the 12th of last month. Two deaths were reported the previous day, bringing the total death toll to 331.