[On-site Video] "With Corona" vs "Not Expecting Much" COVID-19 Response, Citizens' Reactions

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon, PD Lee Kyung-do] "We have to trust and follow the government.", "I don't have high expectations."

The government is expected to begin easing social distancing and other quarantine measures, known as the 'With Corona' transition, as early as September.

'With Corona' refers to a quarantine strategy that does not rely on isolation and strict measures as it is now, but minimizes deaths and severe cases through vaccines and treatments, gradually returning to daily life.

It also means adapting to and maintaining daily life under the current familiar COVID-19 conditions such as mask-wearing, remote lectures, and social distancing. Meanwhile, the current 'social distancing' (Level 4 in the metropolitan area, Level 3 in non-metropolitan areas) will be extended for four weeks until October 3.

Citizens show various opinions regarding the government's policy considering 'With Corona.' Some believe that government guidelines and quarantine authorities should be followed, while others think it may not have a significant effect on improving the COVID-19 situation. Although they respond positively to the extension of social distancing, they emphasize the need for COVID-19 to disappear as soon as possible.

On the afternoon of the 3rd, citizen A (67) met at Cheonggye Plaza in Jung-gu, Seoul, said, "Citizens should follow what the government says," adding, "What if COVID-19 spreads more because people break the guidelines in this situation? I am satisfied with the eased social distancing." He added, "If possible, shouldn't people who have been vaccinated be allowed to gather more?"

Citizen B in their 50s said, "Social distancing should be eased once the number of COVID-19 infections falls below 1,000," and "I think the government's phased partial easing measures are appropriate." He also claimed, "If more than 80% are vaccinated, I think further easing is possible."

On the other hand, there were criticisms that the 'With Corona' policy might not be very meaningful. Citizen C (26) said, "I don't think extending social distancing reduces the number of confirmed cases, so I don't know if 'With Corona' is a meaningful policy," criticizing it. He added, "Even if you get vaccinated, you can still get COVID-19, so it seems like we have to live with it like the flu," and said, "The eased social distancing is complicated and hard to understand all at once."

Meanwhile, according to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) on the 4th, the vaccination rate is expected to reach 47% by the end of September. The government expects that, supported by the vaccination rate, the fourth wave of COVID-19 will peak at 2,000 to 2,300 cases around the 20th and then gradually decrease.

Kwon Deok-cheol, CDSCH 1st Deputy Director and Minister of Health and Welfare, said at a briefing on the 3rd, "Future adjustments to social distancing will consider step-downs depending on the scale of the outbreak, and if the outbreak size remains steady, additional easing of quarantine measures centered on vaccination will be considered."

On the 26th of last month, Jeong Eun-kyeong, Commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, said, "To transition or supplement the quarantine strategy to 'With Corona,' at least 70% vaccination coverage is necessary, and more specifically, over 90% of the elderly and over 80% of the general adult population need to complete vaccination."