"Situation Outside the Capital Region is Better but Cannot Let Our Guard Down"
"Daily Cases Must Be Reduced to Double Digits Before Chuseok Holiday"
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 (social distancing) even in regions outside the metropolitan area."
At the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure 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, which is better than the metropolitan area situation. However, new cluster infections and cases with unknown infection routes continue, so we cannot let our guard down."
He added, "After 38 days since the 13th of last month, the daily number of confirmed cases has dropped to double digits. This is certainly welcome news, but considering the recent increase in cases with unknown infection routes and the weekend effect of reduced testing, we cannot be complacent."
He also pointed out, "Some people have misunderstood the recent adjustments to the metropolitan area’s quarantine measures as a message of reassurance, leading to a loosening of vigilance in various places."
Prime Minister Chung urged, "We must reduce the daily confirmed cases to double digits before the Chuseok holiday begins, ensuring that the quarantine system is properly functioning during the holiday. I earnestly ask the public to keep this in mind and to once again strengthen their resolve against becoming lax."
He mentioned, "Recently, major overseas media such as the UK's Guardian, the US's Forbes, and Foreign Policy have praised South Korea's COVID-19 response efforts, noting that K-quarantine is minimizing economic damage."
He continued, "The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) also analyzed that the relatively low forecasted decline in our country's gross domestic product (GDP) this year is mainly due to better control of COVID-19 compared to other countries."
Prime Minister Chung said, "The international community's evaluation that countries with good quarantine measures also prevent sharp drops in growth rates supports the saying 'quarantine is the economy.' Many citizens are struggling day by day due to prolonged distancing, but I hope you do not lose hope and unite your strength."
He added, "The government will also prepare in advance to promptly execute the fourth supplementary budget as soon as it is approved by the National Assembly to alleviate the difficulties of the people as much as possible."
Finally, Prime Minister Chung said, "A considerable number of citizens are planning trips instead of visiting their hometowns, and media reports indicate that accommodations at major tourist sites are already heavily booked. In line with the request to refrain from movement, I ask you to also avoid visiting crowded areas such as tourist spots."
He also expressed, "The government will provide various programs such as free online access to cultural content to support non-face-to-face leisure activities for the public. I hope this Chuseok will be a 'holiday for the family' rather than just a 'holiday with the family.'"
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