[Exclusive] Transition Team Discusses 'Quarantine Exemption' Following COVID-19 Grade Adjustment

Possibility of Quarantine Easing with Infectious Disease Grade Adjustment... Transition Team to Confirm Self-Employed Loss Scale in the Afternoon

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] Following the government, the Presidential Transition Committee (Transition Committee) is actively considering lowering the infectious disease classification of COVID-19. A mid- to long-term management plan exempting mild confirmed cases from quarantine has even been discussed. As a follow-up measure to the adjustment of the infectious disease classification, changes are also expected in the personal burden for treatment costs and the provision of living support funds for those in quarantine. The government is also in discussions to reduce the home treatment quarantine period, and the downgrade of the classification may be finalized before the new administration takes office.

On the 6th, a senior official from the Transition Committee stated, "As the number of new COVID-19 cases has passed its variant peak and entered a declining trend, we are discussing adjusting the classification as part of the new government’s new quarantine measures," adding, "If the classification is adjusted, there will inevitably be changes in additional systems such as support and quarantine, so we are currently examining various variables."

Within the Transition Committee, Ahn Cheol-soo, who also serves as the chair of the COVID-19 Emergency Response Special Committee, pointed out last week after the full committee meeting that classifying COVID-19 as a Level 1 infectious disease has "many problems." This is because it is unrealistic to classify COVID-19 as a Level 1 infectious disease and isolate patients in medical institutions when hundreds of thousands of COVID-19 patients occur daily.

There were some disagreements within the special committee. Regarding the plan to lower the COVID-19 classification presented by the quarantine authorities in their work report, some members argued that it was "premature" and that the decision should be left to the new government.

However, as the increasing trend of confirmed cases over the past 10 weeks shifted to a declining trend in the last 3 weeks, the atmosphere within the Transition Committee also changed. This is why the COVID-19 classification adjustment gained renewed momentum in recent quarantine system review meetings centered on the special committee.

The meetings also discussed the system linked to the classification adjustment. One member pointed out that if the classification is adjusted from Level 1 to Level 2, the reporting timing and support system would inevitably change, and there is a possibility that the personal burden for treatment costs, which the government had subsidized, would increase. They also suggested that additional support measures should be prepared using the reduced national treasury support.

In particular, a mid- to long-term management plan to "lift quarantine for mild confirmed cases" was mentioned. This measure considers the current Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act, isolating only elderly or severe confirmed cases in hospitals while relaxing quarantine obligations for mild confirmed cases.

Regarding the timing of application, the opinion was raised that a condition of an "endemic" (an infectious disease becoming endemic) determination is necessary. The current government also expressed on the 1st that Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum said, "We hope that our country can become the first in the world to transition to an endemic." However, even if the COVID-19 classification is lowered, there is strong support for maintaining the existing quarantine system while monitoring variants, seasonal variables, and the public’s immune system.

Compensation for losses suffered by small business owners and self-employed individuals due to COVID-19 will be accelerated as much as possible. On this day, the special committee is scheduled to receive a report on the scale of losses for the self-employed from the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the National Tax Service. The National Tax Service has already provided tax data to the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, which has analyzed and estimated the detailed scale of losses based on the data. It is highly likely that specific support measures will be discussed at next week’s meeting at the earliest. The new government’s official support policy is expected to be announced by the end of this month, and it is known that support methods such as loans and tax credits, in addition to cash support, are being considered.