Government: "Warning Signs of 4th Wave... Local Governments Must Follow Established Procedures When Adjusting Stages"

"Emphasizing the Need for Central and Local Governments to Unite and Focus on Quarantine"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] Kang Do-tae, the 1st General Coordinator of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH), emphasized on the 12th, "The warning signs of the 4th wave of COVID-19 have been lit again," and urged, "The central and local governments must unite and focus on quarantine measures."

In his opening remarks at the CDSCH meeting that morning, Kang said, "The average daily number of confirmed cases last week increased by about 100 compared to the previous week, reaching 580. Despite it being the weekend, 500 to 600 confirmed cases were reported yesterday and the day before," adding, "The number of confirmed cases is increasing not only in the metropolitan area, where about 400 cases are being reported, but also in almost all regions nationwide, including Chungcheong, Gyeongbuk, Gyeongnam, and Honam."

He continued, "Infections are spreading through multi-use facilities such as entertainment establishments, karaoke rooms, and indoor sports facilities, extending to schools, daycare centers, homes, and workplaces throughout the community," and urged, "We ask the public to become their own quarantine inspection teams by checking for risk factors in nearby facilities and actively participating in following the guidelines."

The government will extend the social distancing levels of 2nd stage in the metropolitan area and 1.5th stage in non-metropolitan areas for three weeks starting today. However, quarantine measures will be strengthened for entertainment facilities in local governments where the 2nd stage is applied, with a principle of prohibition of gatherings. Kang said, "Although the crisis situation calls for an immediate escalation of the stage, this is a desperate measure considering the prolonged inconvenience to the public and the pain and damage to self-employed businesses," and added, "If the infection situation worsens by region, we plan to promptly adjust the distancing levels accordingly."

He emphasized, "The efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19 now will only show results after at least a week," and requested, "Each local government should follow the established procedures such as consulting with the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters when adjusting stages, and consider the impact on neighboring areas." He reiterated, "In the current situation where cases are rapidly increasing nationwide, it is more important than anything for the central and local governments to unite and focus on quarantine."

Finally, Kang said, "The AstraZeneca vaccine, which had been temporarily suspended, will resume after sufficient discussion among experts. However, those under 30 years old are excluded," and added, "Vaccination centers and entrusted medical institutions should pay close attention and provide explanations to ensure that vaccinations proceed quickly and smoothly."