Government: "We will avoid strengthening social distancing as much as possible... Should not judge only by the number of confirmed cases"

Current Social Distancing Measures Until the 6th of Next Month

Strengthening Social Distancing "Causes High Socioeconomic Costs"
"Severe Cases and Deaths Increase, Healthcare System Capacity Cannot Cope"

Due to the spread of the COVID-19 Omicron variant, the number of new confirmed cases exceeded 10,000 for the first time on the 26th, and citizens are visiting a temporary screening clinic set up at Seoul Station Plaza. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] As the Omicron COVID-19 variant rapidly spreads, concerns are rising that the upcoming Seollal holiday weekend, just three days away, could become a turning point for a surge in confirmed cases. While calls to tighten social distancing measures are growing louder, authorities have stated that decisions cannot be made solely based on the increase in cases and have expressed a stance to avoid strengthening social distancing measures if possible.

On the morning of the 27th, Son Young-rae, head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, said during a COVID-19 briefing that "we will respond to this Omicron wave without strengthening (social distancing) measures as much as possible" regarding adjustments to social distancing after the Seollal holiday.

Previously, the government announced social distancing plans at two-week intervals. However, on the 14th, considering the Seollal holiday (from the 29th of this month to the 3rd of next month), the government announced that the social distancing changes, which were to be applied from the 17th, would be extended for three weeks until the 6th of next month instead of the 30th of this month. The current social distancing measures include a private gathering limit of six people and restrictions on business hours for restaurants and cafes until 9 p.m.

Accordingly, the government is expected to announce adjustments to social distancing measures around the 3rd or 4th of next month. However, due to the impact of the Omicron variant, new confirmed cases reached 14,518 on that day, continuing an unprecedented spread. Especially considering the increase in people visiting their hometowns for the holiday, there is a high possibility that confirmed cases will exponentially increase after the holiday, similar to last year's Chuseok.

Nevertheless, Son stated, "We believe that managing the Omicron wave without further strengthening social distancing is the best outcome," indicating that there is currently no inclination toward additional tightening. He explained, "Social distancing is a measure that incurs significant socio-economic costs, and it is not implemented simply because cases increase. It is only when severe cases and deaths increase and the healthcare system can no longer cope, leading to medical collapse that affects all citizens, that social distancing measures are taken despite the socio-economic costs to reduce the scale of confirmed cases." Since the number of critically ill patients is steadily decreasing and the COVID-19 ICU occupancy rate remains stable in the 10% range, there is no urgent need to strengthen social distancing immediately.

Son also expressed bewilderment at the sudden surge in demands for stricter social distancing. He said, "From the perspective of health authorities, it is perplexing that just two to three weeks ago, there were calls to lift social distancing and the vaccine pass, and now there are demands to strengthen social distancing. Both sides seem impatient."

Finally, Son said, "We will make decisions by comprehensively reviewing not only the number of confirmed cases but also the number of critically ill patients and healthcare system capacity," adding, "We will inform the public once the timing of the adjustment announcement is confirmed after the Seollal holiday."

Due to the spread of the COVID-19 Omicron variant, the number of new confirmed cases exceeded 10,000 for the first time on the 26th, and citizens are visiting the temporary screening clinic set up at Seoul Station Plaza. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

However, experts unanimously agree that social distancing measures need to be strengthened. Professor Eom Jung-sik of Gachon University College of Medicine said, "To prevent further spread, quarantine measures must be strengthened," adding, "Since opposition from self-employed and small business owners is very strong and it is not easy, even if the current level is maintained for the time being, if critically ill patients surge, strengthening must be implemented."

Professor Jeong Ki-seok of Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital’s Department of Respiratory Allergy also emphasized, "Even if not immediately, preparations should be made to strengthen social distancing if confirmed cases increase sharply, and if the spread worsens despite the current high level of social distancing, a shutdown like in other countries may be necessary. However, it is essential to obtain consent from self-employed individuals based on sufficient compensation."

Professor Cheon Eun-mi of Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital’s Department of Respiratory Medicine suggested, "If confirmed cases increase, people will voluntarily practice social distancing," but also recommended, "Before the large-scale movement caused by the Seollal holiday, self-testing kits should be actively distributed so that people can test themselves."