청 "Criticism of Quarantine Guidelines as Unscientific Without Clear Evidence" (Comprehensive)

Request for Cooperation in Omicron Variant Prevention... Caution Against Political Approaches to Prevention Directly Linked to Citizens' Lives

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] The Blue House urged restraint against criticizing the strengthening of COVID-19 quarantine guidelines as unscientific without clear evidence, stating that such criticism only fuels public confusion. In particular, the Blue House warned against political approaches to quarantine issues directly related to the lives of the people.

Park Soo-hyun, the Blue House Senior Secretary for Public Communication, said at a briefing at the Press Center on the 14th, "Some quarters are confusing the public by calling the strengthening of quarantine measures unscientific without clear evidence. If so, we hope they will propose alternative measures."

Park explained, "Today, the quarantine authorities extended the strengthened quarantine measures for three weeks in a partially adjusted form. Although the number of confirmed cases and critically ill patients has been steadily decreasing over the past month, the Omicron variant, which is spreading worldwide, is no exception for us."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Park said, "Omicron is already rapidly spreading domestically and poses a great threat. Despite knowing the pain of the people, especially self-employed and small business owners, who must endure sacrifice and dedication once again, the quarantine measures are extended because we are facing a critical phase called Omicron."

Park added, "Quarantine should not be approached politically; it is never a responsible attitude. For the sake of quarantine, I ask everyone to cooperate for the safety of the people."

Park said, "Government measures may not have been perfect, but the people have endured sacrifice and pain, trusted the government, and overcome the crisis together. The current Omicron wave will also be overcome by the government and the people together."

Meanwhile, the Blue House refrained from specifying who the subjects criticizing the quarantine guidelines without clear evidence were. However, it drew a line by saying it was not referring to opposition parties or specific media outlets.

A senior Blue House official told reporters, "The Blue House is concerned that criticisms lacking evidence are beginning to emerge continuously," adding, "The most serious threat is upon us, and this is an appeal to overcome it together."

The senior Blue House official added, "This is not about criticizing or rebutting specific political forces or media, but rather to emphasize once again how grave the current situation is."

The senior Blue House official asserted, "Political quarantine is a negative criticism and accusation that the government is using quarantine politically, but with the same four syllables, it means that all responsible forces in the political sphere should join hands to overcome this issue together. That is the true meaning of political quarantine."