"New Cases in the 300s, Weekend Impact Significant... Expectation for Social Distancing Easing in 2 Weeks" (Update)

The temporary screening clinic for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) set up at Seoul Station Plaza on the 18th appears quiet. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] The government expressed a cautious stance regarding the drop in the number of new domestic COVID-19 cases to the 300s for the first time in about two months, attributing it largely to the "weekend effect" and stating that "the trend needs to be continuously monitored." However, it added that if the number of confirmed cases decreases steadily, it will consider easing social distancing measures in two weeks.

Yoon Tae-ho, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters' quarantine team, said at a COVID-19 situation briefing on the morning of the 18th, "Currently, it is winter and there are considerable risk factors such as the possibility of variant virus inflow, so the social distancing measures need to continue until the 31st."

As of midnight that day, the number of new domestic COVID-19 cases was 389, dropping to the 300s for the first time in 54 days since November 25 last year (382 cases). Over the past week from the 12th, the daily new cases recorded were 537→561→524→512→580→520→389, showing a slowdown in the spread compared to the late last month when cases fluctuated around the 1,000 mark.

Son Young-rae, head of the social strategy team at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, said, "We hope the current trend continues and the number of patients decreases steadily," adding, "If that happens, we expect to be able to adjust the social distancing level or ease quarantine rules in two weeks."

The government extended social distancing measures for two more weeks from that day until the 31st, maintaining level 2.5 in the metropolitan area and level 2 in non-metropolitan areas. However, it allowed some industries, such as fitness centers and indoor sports facilities, as well as singing rooms, which had been under long-term gathering bans, to operate under the condition of one person per 8㎡ of facility area.

Although most multi-use facilities have resumed operations, entertainment establishments including nightclubs and hunting bars, among five types of entertainment venues, remain subject to gathering bans, prompting collective action movements among related business owners. Regarding this, Son said, "Because the risk of resurgence is high and the number of cases is still relatively large, it was judged difficult to rapidly ease quarantine measures all at once," adding, "If the number of confirmed cases continues to decrease as the current trend, further easing could be considered in two weeks."

Yoon commented on repeated fairness controversies among industries related to the social distancing system, saying, "It is realistically difficult to set a 'gold standard' for social distancing and apply it to all," and added, "It is inevitable to make gradual adjustments and better measures considering the overall social acceptance level and demands."