[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] The Democratic Party of Korea and the government held a situation review meeting on the 3rd to discuss measures following the occurrence of domestic COVID-19 Omicron variant confirmed cases.
In his opening remarks, Representative Song Young-gil said, “An Omicron confirmed case came from Nigeria, and it seems necessary to expand the entry ban to eight countries,” adding, “It is also inevitable to minimize exemptions from self-quarantine measures.”
The eight countries newly designated by the Central Disease Control Headquarters as excluded from quarantine exemption to prevent the domestic inflow of Omicron are South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, and Malawi.
Regarding the breakthrough of 700 critically ill patients and the occurrence of Omicron confirmed cases, Representative Song said, “Hospital beds are saturated,” and “We are securing beds even in small and medium-sized hospitals, but it would be good to designate dedicated hospitals for critically ill patients precisely and provide definite compensation.”
Concerning the losses feared by small business owners due to strengthened social distancing, he said, “We need to consider how to prepare measures when only the number of people is restricted without time limits.”
Policy Committee Chair Park Wan-joo also said, “The budget for next year has been increased to 870 billion won, including support for public health centers and compensation for losses of medical institutions, to establish an infectious disease response system,” urging the government to “actively address the issues of securing hospital beds and booster shot vaccinations.”
After the meeting, Floor Spokesperson Shin Hyun-young briefed, “Representative Song told the government that medical system responses matching the social distancing announcement and corresponding compensation for losses must follow.”
Spokesperson Shin emphasized, “The Democratic Party also ordered the expansion of centers so that those who cannot receive home treatment can choose living treatment centers,” adding, “Since home treatment patients also involve sacrifices from cohabiting family members, a strong compensation system was demanded.”
She also said, “It was confirmed that the government is preparing measures to strengthen accessibility so that even those receiving home treatment can receive antibody treatments such as Regkirona injections at nearby respiratory clinics.”
Spokesperson Shin said, “There was a consensus (within the party and government) that compensation measures for small business owners due to strengthened distancing must be established, and the party will work together to consider how to compensate and prepare alternatives.”
She added, “Candidate Lee Jae-myung also demanded a prompt response to COVID-19, and the Democratic Party will take the lead to ensure the government can respond quickly.”
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