Prime Minister Kim: "Emergency in Quarantine... Please Postpone Gatherings to Next Year"

The 52nd Cabinet Meeting

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum is speaking at the Cabinet meeting held on the morning of the 30th at the Government Sejong Complex in Sejong City, connected via video with Seoul.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Son Seon-hee] Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum said on the 30th regarding COVID-19 prevention, "This is an emergency situation," and earnestly requested, "Please cancel unnecessary group gatherings and postpone meetings with your loved ones until next year."

On the morning of the same day, Prime Minister Kim chaired the Cabinet meeting at the Government Complex Sejong and said, "Strict compliance with quarantine rules is urgently needed." He also asked, "Please refrain from rallies and protests that could threaten the safety of our community throughout December."

Prime Minister Kim expressed concern, saying, "The number of infections has increased significantly over the past month, especially severe and critical patients and deaths have sharply risen." He added, "What is more serious is the hospital beds. In the metropolitan area, the bed occupancy rate has exceeded 80%, and patients have to wait several days to be admitted to hospitals." He continued, "Medical staff fatigue is reaching its limit, and overseas, a new variant virus called 'Omicron' has emerged. If Omicron is introduced, it may be difficult to handle the situation as it is now."

However, Prime Minister Kim said, "Considering the damage and suffering the public, especially small business owners, have endured to get this far, we cannot delay the recovery of daily life." He added, "Vaccination is now the foundation of prevention," and urged once again, "Those who are still hesitant to get vaccinated, please hurry to get vaccinated for the sake of your precious neighbors and community."

He also emphasized that additional vaccinations are essential, especially for the adolescent group where infection cases have recently surged, appealing, "To protect your children and parents from COVID-19, please make a vaccination appointment immediately."

Prime Minister Kim also instructed government officials, saying, "Now is the time for an all-out government response," and directed, "Actively expand the application of antibody treatments and complete preparations to introduce oral treatments within December."

Regarding securing hospital beds, he ordered, "Please ensure there are no disruptions in critical patient treatment by promptly implementing administrative measures to secure beds, including expanding home treatment and early discharge of patients whose symptoms have improved."