Ministry of National Defense: "Quarantine Measures Eased Upon Completion of 2nd COVID-19 Vaccination"

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] Quarantine measures for military personnel who have completed the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine will be partially eased.

On the morning of the 7th, the Ministry of National Defense stated in a press release from the All-Army Key Commanders Meeting chaired by Minister Seo Wook, "While it is necessary to comply with basic quarantine guidelines until nationwide herd immunity is achieved and community infection risks are controlled, we will additionally consider easing preventive quarantine and testing measures for those who have completed the second dose of vaccination."

The recent controversy over excessive quarantine measures is understood to have arisen from the strong quarantine actions taken to prevent group infections in vulnerable military units. Therefore, it is interpreted that these measures will be eased once the vaccination rate exceeds a certain level.

According to the Ministry of National Defense, as of the day before, a cumulative total of 91,954 military personnel, civilian employees, and public workers aged 30 and over have completed the first dose of the AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine.

This corresponds to 69.3% of the vaccination target group aged 30 and over within the military (132,000 people), and 80.6% of those who consented to vaccination (about 114,000 people) have received the first dose.

Starting in June, vaccination for military personnel under 30 will begin, and for essential operational units, there is also consideration to advance the schedule within this month.

Regarding this, Minister Seo also emphasized at the meeting, "If herd immunity within the military is achieved early, we can relieve the preventive quarantine burden for more than 25,000 soldiers returning from leave daily and reduce the risk of group infections within military barracks."