Prime Minister Jeong: "Areas Outside the Capital Region Also Need to Maintain Social Distancing Level 2" (Update)

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun is attending the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting held at the Government Seoul Office on the 20th, delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwangho Lee] Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said on the 20th, "It is necessary to maintain the current level 2 of social distancing in regions outside the metropolitan area as well."

At the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) meeting on COVID-19 held at the Government Seoul Office on the same day, Prime Minister Chung stated, "Recently, outside the metropolitan area, about 20 confirmed cases have been occurring daily on average, so the situation is better than in the metropolitan area. However, new cluster infections and cases with unknown transmission routes continue, so we cannot let our guard down."

He added, "Since it is one week before the special quarantine period for the Chuseok holiday, it is necessary to maintain the current level 2 in regions outside the metropolitan area as well," and mentioned, "Today’s meeting will discuss whether to extend the measures."

Prime Minister Chung emphasized, "We must reduce the daily confirmed cases to double digits before the start of the Chuseok holiday to ensure that the quarantine system is functioning properly during the holiday," and earnestly appealed, "I ask the public to keep this in mind and to firmly restrain any lax attitudes."

He continued, "A considerable number of citizens are planning trips instead of visiting their hometowns, and media reports indicate that accommodations in major tourist destinations have already received many reservations," urging, "In line with the request to refrain from movement, please also avoid visiting crowded areas such as tourist spots where many people gather."

He concluded, "The government will also provide various programs such as free online access to cultural content to support non-face-to-face leisure activities for the public," emphasizing, "I hope this Chuseok will be a holiday 'for the family' rather than just a holiday 'with the family.'"