Social Distancing Level and Ban on Gatherings of Over 5 People Maintained for 2 Weeks... "Risk of Spread Remains"

Son Young-rae, Head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Chunhee Lee] The quarantine authorities have decided to extend the current social distancing measures, which were set to end on the 28th, by two weeks. This decision was made considering that the spread of the virus is not subsiding easily. The social distancing levels of Level 2 in the metropolitan area and Level 1.5 in non-metropolitan areas, as well as key quarantine rules such as the ban on gatherings of five or more people, will be maintained.

Son Young-rae, head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, stated at a regular briefing on the 26th, "We have decided to maintain the current social distancing levels and major quarantine measures for another two weeks."

Son explained, "From the 20th to the 26th, the average daily number of domestic patients over the past week was 374," which is lower than the Level 2.5 criteria and represents a 16% decrease compared to the previous week's average of 445. He also noted regionally, "The metropolitan area meets the Level 2 criteria, and non-metropolitan areas meet Level 1," but added, "however, since 300 to 400 patients are still occurring daily, if the quarantine intensity is slightly relaxed and vigilance is loosened, there remains a risk of the outbreak growing again," explaining the reason for maintaining the quarantine measures.

Accordingly, the current social distancing levels, as well as quarantine measures including the ban on private gatherings of five or more people and the 10 p.m. operating restriction on entertainment facilities, will be maintained unchanged until the 14th of next month.

Son stated, "Reflecting on various discussions held so far, we are preparing the third revision of the social distancing system," and added, "We plan to release a draft next week and collect opinions."