[Breaking] Health Authorities: "Suppressing Reemergence Threshold with Distancing... Our People Are Great"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ga-yeon] The quarantine authorities stated that the current decline in domestic cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) reflects the effectiveness of phased social distancing measures at the threshold of a resurgence.

On the afternoon of the 22nd, Kwon Jun-wook, Deputy Director of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, said at a regular briefing, "The domestic (COVID-19 new infection) situation continues to show a downward trend," and evaluated, "It is difficult to find examples in other countries where the COVID-19 outbreak is suppressed through phased social distancing and voluntary participation (by the public), rather than a complete lockdown, at the threshold of a resurgence."

He emphasized, "If we become negligent in managing the outbreak at any time, it could spread again, but this is clearly different from the situation in Europe where lockdowns have to be chosen again," adding, "We see the solidarity, cooperation, and greatness demonstrated by the Korean people who practiced social distancing."