President Moon: "Focus on quarantine and increase vaccinations to quickly curb the spread" (Comprehensive)

Presiding over the COVID-19 Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters Meeting... Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and Local Leaders Also Propose Solutions

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] On the afternoon of the 25th, President Moon Jae-in, during his closing remarks at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting on COVID-19 held at the Blue House National Crisis Management Center, said, "I hope that the central and local governments will join forces to strengthen quarantine measures and increase vaccinations so that the spread can be contained as soon as possible."

President Moon explained, "I am grateful for the efforts of the quarantine authorities, local governments, and the united hearts and determination of the people," adding, "Everyone is making their utmost effort to barely stop the increase in COVID-19 cases."

Park Kyung-mi, Blue House spokesperson, explained, "This is the second time President Moon has presided over the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting with central ministries and 17 metropolitan cities and provinces attending via video, following December 13 last year, after seven months."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Spokesperson Park said, "The situation of COVID-19 spreading from the metropolitan area to the entire country is being taken seriously, and this meeting was held with an extraordinary determination to protect people's livelihoods by the central and local governments working together to respond quickly and strongly."

During the meeting, proposals from heads of metropolitan local governments on COVID-19 solutions and government responses followed. Park Hyung-joon, Mayor of Busan, suggested sharing small business damage information with local governments and establishing grounds to support related affected industries for small business loss compensation.

Minister Kwon Chil-seung of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups stated that it is necessary to consult with the relevant authorities (Personal Information Protection Commission, National Tax Service, etc.) regarding the scope of tax data provision for small business loss compensation. He also responded that small businesses indirectly affected can be supported through a ‘damage support’ method.

Mayor Heo Tae-jeong of Daejeon proposed dispatching public health doctors to residential treatment centers and military doctors to infectious disease specialized hospitals. Minister Kwon Deok-cheol of the Ministry of Health and Welfare replied that public health doctors and military doctors are currently being dispatched to the field and that consultations with the Medical Association and Ministry of National Defense will be held.

Governor Choi Moon-soon of Gangwon Province suggested expanding the scope of self-treatment subjects and improving the system. Director Jeong Eun-kyeong of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said that self-treatment guidelines have already been provided in the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters documents and recommended that local governments responsibly decide and operate as needed.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Mayor Oh Se-hoon of Seoul proposed the government-led installation of temporary screening clinics at highway rest areas or stations. Minister Jeon Hae-cheol of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety responded that after assessing the demand, the matter will be discussed at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters.

Meanwhile, following President Moon’s opening remarks, Director Jeong Eun-kyeong reported on ‘COVID-19 Situation Analysis and Outlook,’ Minister Kwon Deok-cheol on ‘COVID-19 Quarantine Inspection and Medical Response Plan,’ Minister Jeon Hae-cheol on ‘Government Joint Special Quarantine Inspection Status and Measures to Strengthen Effectiveness,’ and Minister Moon Sung-hyuk of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries on ‘Special Quarantine Inspection Progress in Vacation Areas.’

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum said, "I appreciate local governments agreeing to raise the alert to level 3 despite difficulties," and urged, "Everyone should pause briefly and act with the urgency to control COVID-19 within two weeks."