Acting Prime Minister Hong: "Considering 'Adjustment of Gathering Size Restrictions' if Confirmed Cases Stay Below 500"

COVID-19 Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters Meeting

Hong Nam-ki, Acting Prime Minister, is presiding over the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH) meeting for COVID-19 response held at the Government Seoul Office Building on the 12th. 2021.5.12 [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Son Seon-hee] Hong Nam-ki, Acting Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister for Economy, said on the 12th, "The government is making every effort to primarily stabilize the daily number of confirmed COVID-19 cases at below 500," adding, "If this situation is maintained, we will review the flexible adjustment of business restriction measures and limits on private gatherings."

Acting Prime Minister Hong presided over the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting at the Government Seoul Office that morning and made these remarks. He also stated, "We are currently reviewing a revised social distancing plan to be newly applied around July," and "It is being piloted in some areas of Gyeongbuk and Jeonnam, and based on the results, we plan to finalize the plan and apply it as soon as possible."

Recently, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has fluctuated around 500 to 600. Acting Prime Minister Hong said, "Fortunately, the overall trend is decreasing, and the infection reproduction number has been declining for four consecutive weeks," but he added, "Considering the spread of variant viruses and the proportion of cases with unknown infection routes (35%), we cannot afford to let our guard down."

He urged, "Since most cluster infections occur in 3밀 facilities (crowded, enclosed, close-contact) and 3밀 spaces, from now until the end of this month, please respond with the three commitments of strict compliance with special quarantine rules for surrounding 3밀 facilities and spaces, special quarantine inspections, and special proactive testing."

With vaccine reservations starting on the 13th for seniors aged 60 to 64, Acting Prime Minister Hong said, "Adverse reactions to the vaccine occur in about 0.1% of cases, most of which are centered on symptoms like fever and muscle pain," and urged, "Please actively make vaccination reservations."

Acting Prime Minister Hong said, "As seen in recent resistance to gathering bans, the widening inequality due to reduced educational opportunities caused by COVID-19, and the more severe COVID depression among the MZ generation, the difficulties and inconveniences in our daily lives caused by COVID-19 are ongoing and accompanied by pain," adding, "We will accelerate efforts to establish a 'smart quarantine' that reduces pain and increases effectiveness."