Seoul Metropolitan Area Likely to Extend Level 2 Social Distancing... Possibility of Further Increase

On the morning of the 3rd, when the 2021 College Scholastic Ability Test was held, a test taker is seen taking the exam at a temporary testing site set up in the isolation ward of Seoul Medical Center in Jungnang-gu, Seoul, for 'COVID-19 positive examinees,' shown on a closed-circuit screen. On this day, five examinees took the exam at Seoul Medical Center. Photo by Joint Press Corps

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] The government is leaning towards extending the Level 2 social distancing measures currently applied in the Seoul metropolitan area and is considering additional measures. The current measures are scheduled to last until the 7th, but the recent trend shows no clear decline in cases.

On the 3rd, Son Young-rae, Head of the Strategic Planning Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, said in a back briefing, "The Level 2 measures in the metropolitan area will end on Tuesday, the 7th," adding, "We plan to observe the trend of cases until around this weekend and discuss whether to extend or adjust the measures." He added, "The possibility of ending the measures is low."

According to authorities, the number of new confirmed cases counted on this day was 540 (including 24 imported cases), marking the second consecutive day with cases in the 500s. There were 419 locally transmitted cases in the metropolitan area, accounting for over 80% of all local infections. Although the number of tests decreased over the past weekend, causing a slight drop in cases, the increase in testing volume has led to more newly identified patients.

Given that the spread is not being contained, authorities believe it is not the time to lower the social distancing level. Since the 24th of last month, the metropolitan area has been under Level 2 social distancing, and from the 1st of this month, additional restrictions have been imposed, such as banning the use of sweating rooms and the operation of indoor group exercise facilities, a so-called Level 2+α response.

Son mentioned the reduction in mobility due to the heightened distancing measures, stating, "We judge that this effect has not yet manifested as a decrease in patient numbers," and added, "The effect of the Level 2 upgrade is expected to appear around this weekend."

Within the government, the option of further raising the social distancing level is also being discussed. On the 1st, Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun posted on social media that "after monitoring the situation, there is a need to consider additional level upgrades," and Kang Do-tae, the First General Coordinator of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, also stated at a briefing the previous day that the possibility of raising the level is under review. Since the effects of social distancing typically appear about ten days later, they plan to observe the trend further.

The college entrance exam held on this day is expected to be a critical moment. Although strict quarantine rules are being followed, large numbers of test-takers gather nationwide, and there is a high possibility of gatherings after the exam. The fact that students must visit individual schools for university entrance exams, increasing individual contacts and mobility, is also a concerning factor.

Son urged, "After the exam, please avoid activities such as gathering with many friends or having long conversations in enclosed restaurants or cafes," and added, "(Parents as well) may have plans to dine out, but since enclosed environments are risky, please refrain from going out."