[Comprehensive] Loosened Quarantine Tension Ahead of 'With Corona'... Government Urges "Do Not Let Your Guard Down"

Rising Vaccination Rates and Development of Oral Treatments Expand Hopes for 'Return to Normal'
Tourists Flock Outdoors at 10 PM... Some Hold Maskless Drinking Parties
Government Warns "Complacency Can Always Trigger Infection Spread" Concerns

During the National Foundation Day holiday, scenes of people breaking quarantine rules and holding drinking parties were captured at Daecheon Beach in Chungnam.
Photo by YTN

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] Not only has the COVID-19 vaccination completion rate surpassed 50%, but the emergence of various formulations of COVID-19 treatments, including oral and topical types, has raised expectations for 'With Corona' (With corona·gradual return to normal life). The government has also announced plans to shift the quarantine system in line with With Corona. However, concerns about the spread of COVID-19 are growing due to people’s relaxed awareness of quarantine measures ahead of the gradual return to normal life.

The government expects With Corona to be possible around early November, when over 70% of the entire population is anticipated to have completed their second vaccination, forming herd immunity. On the 1st, Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum stated at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting, "More than 50% of the total population has completed their second dose of the vaccine," and added, "We will actively prepare for the return to normal life this month, when the vaccination completion rate is expected to exceed 70%."

The appearance of oral COVID-19 treatments also adds to the anticipation for a 'complete return to normal life.' Recently, interest in vaccines and treatments to overcome COVID-19 has increased, and as product development has accelerated, various formulations of COVID-19 treatments are being developed. The COVID-19 treatment from the American pharmaceutical company Merck (MSD) showed promising results in Phase 3 clinical trials. MSD announced on the 1st that administering 'Molnupiravir' to COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms reduced the risk of hospitalization and death by 50%.

Additionally, on the 23rd of last month (local time), a joint research team from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Stanford University in the United States announced the development of a 'microneedle' vaccine technology in the form of a bandage using 3D printing technology, which provides a stronger immune response than conventional vaccine injections.

With vaccination rates supporting this and the commercialization of various COVID-19 treatments imminent, expectations for the return to normal life are growing. The problem is that alongside discussions of With Corona, travel sentiment has eased, leading to a surge in tourists, and consequently, many cases of quarantine rule violations have increased, raising concerns about community transmission.

During the recent National Foundation Day holiday, more than 150,000 tourists visited Jeju, and coastal areas such as the East Coast were crowded with tourists. According to a YTN report on the 4th, at a beach in Boryeong, Chungnam, tourists showed relaxed quarantine vigilance by drinking on the beach without masks after cafes and restaurants closed at 10 p.m. Due to the prolonged and strict social distancing measures, quarantine fatigue has accumulated, and with the start of serious discussions on returning to normal life, vigilance regarding quarantine appears to have weakened significantly.

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum is speaking at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting on COVID-19 response held at the Government Seoul Office on the morning of the 5th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, the Central Disease Control Headquarters announced that as of midnight on the 5th, 1,575 new confirmed cases were reported, bringing the total to 321,352. The decrease in testing during the National Foundation Day holiday is reflected in this number, so it is difficult to say that the spread has slowed. Amid this, with the consecutive holidays of National Foundation Day and Hangul Day and the autumn foliage season coinciding, there is concern that increased nationwide movement could lead to further spread at any time.

Prime Minister Kim attended the COVID-19 Response Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting held at the Government Seoul Office that morning and said, "'Now that vaccinations have increased, it should be okay'?such complacency can always become a fuse for infection spread." He added, "All ministries and local governments should strengthen on-site inspections and checks to ensure that quarantine is not relaxed during the gradual return to normal life. The government will manage quarantine thoroughly while steadily preparing for the gradual return to normal life."