"3rd Wave, More Severe Than Before"... Background of Social Distancing Upgrade After Five Days (Comprehensive)

Social Distancing Level 1 for 7 Days, Level 1.5 from 19th in Seoul Metropolitan Area
"No Target Group, High Population Density, More Risk"...Preemptive Upgrade

On the 22nd, as the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection related to the Noryangjin teacher certification exam academy is increasing, citizens who visited the screening clinic set up at Dongjak-gu Public Health Center in Seoul are waiting to get tested. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Daeyeol] The quarantine authorities decided to raise social distancing to Level 2 starting from the 24th because the recent wave of infections is considered more difficult to block the transmission routes than the first wave centered around Daegu and Gyeongbuk or the cluster outbreaks from churches and rallies in the metropolitan area in August. Previously, the social distancing system was reorganized into five levels and applied at Level 1 on the 7th; it was raised to Level 1.5 less than two weeks later, but this time it was abruptly escalated within five days.

Park Neunghoo, the first head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, said at a briefing on the 22nd, "The first and second waves involved specific groups, allowing for preemptive measures, but the current third wave is occurring as many groups form within daily life in the metropolitan area," adding that the recent wave is judged to be more serious and dangerous than ever before.

According to the quarantine authorities, the average daily confirmed cases domestically over the past week (November 15?21) reached 255.6, with 67.4 cases among those aged 60 and above. New confirmed cases have more than doubled, and the number of patients aged 60 or older, who are at high risk of fatality, increased by more than 20. Although the number of new cluster outbreaks was 23, slightly down from the previous week, the proportion managed within the quarantine network fell below half, and the immediately available intensive care unit beds decreased by 18 to 113 compared to last week.

Park explained that the metropolitan area is densely populated and, with recent temperature drops leading to more indoor gatherings, quarantine management is becoming increasingly difficult. He said, "Compared to the first and second waves, this situation is much more dangerous and could lead to wider infection spread," adding, "If people wear masks and absolutely avoid or refrain from unnecessary gatherings and dinners, the feared situation will not unfold, and the spread of infection can be prevented."

As the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection reached 330, maintaining the 300s for five consecutive days, the Sinchon area in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, showed a quiet scene on the 22nd. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

Previously, the government reorganized the social distancing system from three levels, which had lost effectiveness, into five levels and newly applied it from the 7th. At that time, it was Level 1, but as sporadic cluster outbreaks occurred nationwide, including the metropolitan area, Chungcheong, and Gangwon regions, it was raised to Level 1.5 from the 19th. As this marks the fourth day, there is still no visible effect from the quarantine measures.

Considering that the effects of strengthening social distancing measures usually appear about ten days later, it is highly likely that new confirmed cases will continue to rise steadily over the next few days. If the level is raised after observing the effects, there is a high possibility of criticism for delayed response. Since the conditions for raising to Level 2 are expected to be met around the 24th, it was decided to preemptively escalate on that day. In Incheon, where Level 1.5 will be applied from the 23rd, it will immediately rise to Level 2 the next day after one day of Level 1.5 application. Some local governments in Honam, which have already raised to Level 2, will also raise to Level 1.5 from the 24th due to the recent increase in new confirmed cases.

Yoon Taeho, head of the Central Accident Response Headquarters' quarantine team, said, "Many cluster infections have occurred in various types of spaces," adding, "It is difficult to solve various types of spaces with a single measure at once, and above all, each citizen must voluntarily participate and cooperate in social distancing."