Acting Prime Minister Hong: "Considering 'Smart Quarantine' to Minimize Public Inconvenience and Livelihood Impact"

COVID-19 Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters Meeting

Hong Nam-ki, Acting Prime Minister, is speaking at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH) meeting for COVID-19 response held at the Government Seoul Office on May 9, 2021. Photo by Yonhap News.

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Son Seon-hee] Hong Nam-ki, Acting Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, said on the 9th, "Based on the achievements in quarantine so far, please actively devise 'smart quarantine' measures that minimize public inconvenience and shocks to people's livelihoods."

Acting Prime Minister Hong presided over the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting on COVID-19 at the Government Seoul Office in the afternoon and said, "In quarantine as well, under the major premise that we must 'return to the basics,' more 'creative and innovative smart quarantine' is now required."

Last month, quarantine-free travel between Australia and New Zealand began, and the introduction of vaccine passports is being discussed in preparation for the summer vacation season in the European Union (EU), with countries that have high COVID-19 vaccination rates leading the way in preparing for a return to normal life. Referring to this, Acting Prime Minister Hong said, "We are also gradually starting the engine for recovery of daily life, beginning with the pilot application of revised social distancing measures that ease some quarantine rules in Gyeongbuk and Jeonnam, and implementing exemption from self-quarantine for domestic vaccinated returnees."

He added, "Under thorough quarantine premises, the government is making every effort to support corporate activities for economic recovery," and urged, "Overall, it is necessary to continuously seek a transition to a smart quarantine system that reduces pain and increases effectiveness in relation to quarantine measures."

However, Acting Prime Minister Hong said, "May is a crucial moment and crossroads that will determine whether there will be a surge due to relaxation and complacency or control of confirmed cases through vigilance and quarantine," and requested, "Although the prolonged quarantine is difficult for the public in many ways, please cooperate especially with the multi-layered quarantine measures in May, such as refraining from gatherings, reducing contacts, complying with rules, and getting vaccinated."