Government Delays Social Distancing Adjustment to Weekend... "High Variability in Confirmed Case Trends" (Update)

"IM Mission Society Educational Facilities and Subsequent Cluster Infections Continue"

On the 27th, medical staff are warming their hands by a heater at a temporary screening clinic for COVID-19 set up at Seoul Plaza. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] The government’s concerns are deepening over preventing the resurgence of COVID-19 infections in South Korea. In particular, as worries increased due to the recent rise in new confirmed cases, the originally scheduled announcement on the adjustment of social distancing levels, set for the 29th, was postponed to the weekend.

Son Young-rae, head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH), stated at the COVID-19 situation briefing on the 28th, "We believe it is necessary to analyze and assess the current COVID-19 case situation," adding, "We plan to continue evaluating the current epidemic situation through the weekend and decide on the social distancing adjustment measures accordingly before making an announcement."

Previously, the government hinted at the possibility of adjusting the current social distancing guidelines, which are at level 2.5 in the metropolitan area and level 2 in non-metropolitan areas. Until early this month, the weekly number of confirmed cases, a key indicator for social distancing, had dropped to the 300s, which supported easing the measures. However, recent cluster infections have occurred consecutively, pushing the numbers back up to the 400s. This has deepened the concerns of health authorities who must decide on the social distancing measures to be applied starting next month.

Yoon Tae-ho, head of the CDSCH’s Disease Control Division, said, "Until recently, cluster infections had significantly decreased, and infections through personal contact accounted for a large proportion," but added, "However, this week, cluster infections related to taekwondo academies, churches, and workplaces (such as meat processing plants) have continued to occur, raising concerns that cluster infections may be increasing again."

He continued, "Even excluding infections related to the IM Missionary Society, there are growing concerns about the increasing infections in daily living spaces, resulting in significant fluctuations in the trend of confirmed cases," and added, "Considering this, we believe further discussions are necessary regarding the direction and adjustment of social distancing measures depending on future epidemic developments."