Social Distancing Public Forum, Gathering Expert Opinions... Committed to Developing Wise Measures
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] Kwon Deokcheol, the 1st Deputy Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Minister of Health and Welfare), said on the first day of the Lunar New Year holiday, the 11th, that "we are once again at a critical crossroads in quarantine" as the number of new domestic confirmed cases of COVID-19 reached the 500s.
Deputy Head Kwon stated in the opening remarks of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting that "the number of confirmed cases, which had been declining since peaking at 1,241 on December 25 last year, exceeded 500 today following the 400s yesterday," adding, "cluster infections continue unabated in places such as churches, nursing hospitals, workplaces, saunas, and restaurants."
In particular, Deputy Head Kwon emphasized, "More than 75% of the confirmed cases reported last week occurred in the Seoul metropolitan area, and the infection reproduction number has exceeded 1, raising concerns about an increase in cases during the Lunar New Year holiday," urging "special caution from citizens in the metropolitan area regarding quarantine."
He continued, "According to mobile phone movement surveys, the 'ban on gatherings of five or more people' was effective in suppressing the third wave, whereas most recent cluster infections occurred due to failure to comply with quarantine rules such as not wearing masks and not maintaining social distancing," and requested, "Please strictly adhere to quarantine rules such as wearing masks, social distancing, and banning private gatherings of five or more people during the Lunar New Year holiday."
Meanwhile, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting on this day focused on discussing the adjustment plan for 'social distancing' to be announced on the 13th.
Deputy Head Kwon stated, "We are well aware of and deeply saddened by the difficulties faced by small business owners and self-employed individuals due to business restrictions under social distancing," adding, "We will prepare wise measures by synthesizing the results of previous opinion gathering and today's discussions."
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