[Asia Economy Reporter Dongwoo Lee] The transition to the second phase of the gradual recovery to daily life from COVID-19, scheduled for mid-next month, has been postponed.
On the 29th, the government decided to postpone the implementation of the second phase of the gradual recovery to daily life and to implement special quarantine measures for the next four weeks until the 26th of next month, after which the decision on whether to proceed with phase 2 will be reconsidered. During the special quarantine period, the target for additional vaccinations will be expanded to all adults aged 18 and over, and the interval between vaccinations will be shortened to curb the spread of COVID-19.
The basic treatment policy for confirmed COVID-19 patients will shift to 'home treatment.' All confirmed cases will stay at home and receive treatment, but only those who require hospitalization or whose living facilities are vulnerable to infection will be admitted to facilities.
In the metropolitan area, outpatient and short-term treatment centers capable of testing or short-term hospitalization in emergencies will be operated for home-treated patients. The domestically produced antibody treatment 'Rekkironaju,' which was previously supplied only to infectious disease-dedicated hospitals, will be expanded to living treatment centers as well as short-term and outpatient treatment centers, allowing home-treated patients to receive prescriptions for it.
Restrictions on private gatherings in restaurants and cafes were not included in this quarantine measure. However, considering recent cluster infection cases in movie theaters, eating and drinking will be temporarily prohibited even in screening rooms composed of fully vaccinated individuals.
Quarantine measures to protect vulnerable groups will also be partially strengthened. The 'temporary suspension of contact visits' measure, which has been in effect since the 18th for nursing hospitals/facilities and psychiatric hospitals/facilities, will be extended until the epidemic situation stabilizes.
Additional vaccinations, which had been conducted for those aged 50 and over, Janssen vaccine recipients, patients with underlying diseases and immunocompromised individuals, and priority occupational groups, will be expanded to all adults aged 18 and over. Accordingly, those aged 18 to 49 can also receive additional vaccinations five months after completing the basic vaccination. However, for personal reasons such as overseas travel or medical treatment, the vaccination interval can be advanced by one month.
To increase the rate of additional vaccinations, the government has set a six-month validity period for the quarantine pass (vaccination certificate/negative test confirmation system). Even if the basic vaccination is completed, if additional vaccination is not received after six months (five months interval for additional vaccination + one month grace period), access to multi-use facilities or vulnerable facilities where the quarantine pass is applied will be restricted.
Also, elderly people can receive additional vaccinations by visiting medical institutions without prior reservation. Initially, residents and workers in vulnerable facilities such as elderly and disabled facilities and those aged 60 and over were to receive additional vaccinations four months after basic vaccination, but considering the convenience of group vaccination schedules, this period can be shortened to three months.
To accelerate additional vaccinations for those aged 60 and over, from the 1st of next month, the 'vaccination day system' at entrusted medical institutions will be temporarily lifted, allowing reservations and vaccinations without day restrictions starting next month.
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