Government to Announce Comprehensive Strengthened Quarantine Measures on the 29th

Kwon Deok-cheol, First Deputy Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Minister of Health and Welfare), is speaking at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting for COVID-19 response held on the morning of the 26th at the Government Sejong Complex in Sejong City.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] As the spread of COVID-19 intensifies again following the implementation of 'gradual daily recovery (With Corona),' the government plans to announce a comprehensive plan to strengthen quarantine measures in response on the 29th.

Kwon Deok-cheol, the 1st Deputy Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Minister of Health and Welfare), presided over the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting on the morning of the 26th and stated, "The government and quarantine authorities are making every effort to protect the daily lives of the people," adding, "After sufficient review, we will provide detailed comprehensive measures next Monday (29th)."

Minister Kwon assessed the current situation as "facing the greatest difficulty in the war against COVID-19." The daily number of confirmed cases is fluctuating around 4,000, and with the spread of infections among the elderly, severe cases and deaths are rapidly increasing, pushing intensive care unit beds in the metropolitan area to their limits.

In particular, since 64% of confirmed cases are breakthrough infections and 85% of confirmed cases aged 60 and over are breakthrough infections, Minister Kwon emphasized that "the community, especially those aged 60 and above, urgently need to receive additional vaccinations." He also appealed for the necessity of vaccinating children and adolescents, noting that "the average daily number of confirmed cases among children and adolescents is 530, surpassing the adult incidence rate."

On the afternoon of the 25th, citizens lined up to get tested at the temporary COVID-19 screening clinic set up at Seoul Station Plaza. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Minister Kwon emphasized that the government and quarantine authorities are making every effort to respond to the situation. The government is securing as many intensive care unit beds as possible regardless of metropolitan or non-metropolitan areas and is reorganizing the medical system based on home treatment. Last week, the interval for additional vaccinations (booster shots) was shortened to 4 months for the elderly aged 60 and over, residents and workers in nursing hospitals and facilities, and medical institution workers. Furthermore, Minister Kwon conveyed that "the expansion of the quarantine pass is being carefully discussed among related ministries."

In this regard, the government collected opinions at the Recovery Committee meeting the day before to discuss additional measures and is conducting further reviews through inter-ministerial discussions. Although the quarantine measures based on this were originally scheduled to be finalized and announced at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting today, the announcement has been postponed to the 29th due to the need for additional discussions.

Minister Kwon stated, "Additional vaccinations are absolutely necessary to move toward daily recovery," and urged, "I ask the public to make sure to receive the additional vaccinations." He also appealed with "a desperate heart," requesting, "Please minimize gatherings and events, and practice wearing masks, hand washing, and ventilation at every moment."