Government to Consider Full Lifting of Private Gathering Restrictions Next Week ... Social Distancing Adjustment Announcement on the 15th

Trend Toward Normalization Mainly in Europe
Cumulative Deaths Exceed 20,000 ... Fourth Dose Expanded for 60+

On the 1st, when the government announced the adjustment plan for social distancing, office workers were moving for lunch in Myeongdong, Seoul. From the 4th, the limit on private gatherings will be expanded from 8 to 10 people for two weeks. Business hours restrictions will also be extended from 11 PM to midnight. The government plans to consider lifting all quarantine regulations except for indoor mask-wearing if the COVID-19 outbreak clearly shifts to a decline over the next two weeks and severe cases and the medical system are managed stably. / Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

As the number of new COVID-19 cases passes its peak and clearly declines, the government is considering completely lifting social distancing measures that limit the number of private gatherings and the operating hours of restaurants and cafes starting next week. However, considering that the majority of COVID-19 deaths still occur among the elderly aged 60 and above, the government plans to expand the fourth dose vaccination for this age group.

Steps Toward Normalizing Quarantine and Medical Systems

Kwon Deok-cheol, the 1st Deputy Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Minister of Health and Welfare), announced on the 13th, "This Friday (the 15th), we will provide comprehensive plans to normalize quarantine and medical systems along with adjustments to social distancing measures." The current social distancing rules, which allow private gatherings of up to 10 people and permit multi-use facilities such as restaurants and cafes to operate until midnight, will end on the 17th. On that day, the government will hold a meeting of the Recovery Support Committee, composed of experts, to gather opinions on the new social distancing adjustment plan.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters, the number of new confirmed cases on that day was 195,419, which is more than 90,000 fewer than the 286,264 cases reported a week earlier (April 6). The average daily new cases over the recent week (April 7?13) was 182,461, a decrease of over 70,000 compared to the previous week’s (April 6?12) average of 254,129 cases.

Deputy Head Kwon said, "Looking at international trends, especially in Europe, we see the end of COVID-19 emergency declarations and the lifting of quarantine measures as countries transition back to normal life. We will also proceed cautiously, considering our high vaccination rate, the stabilization of the outbreak, and the medical response system."

The government is expected to lower the infectious disease classification of COVID-19 from the current Level 1 to Level 2 in the upcoming 'Post-Omicron Response System' announcement. This reflects medical experts’ concerns that maintaining the highest infectious disease level is inappropriate as COVID-19 patients can now receive face-to-face treatment at hospitals and clinics, signaling a shift to a routine medical system.

Cumulative Deaths Surpass 20,000

The cumulative number of COVID-19 deaths surpassed 20,000 (20,034) as of this day. This figure doubled in just one month since reaching 10,000 deaths on March 12. Among all COVID-19 deaths, 72.2% (14,471) occurred this year, and the number of deaths in the past week exceeded 2,000 (2,001). Of the deceased, 93.9% were elderly aged 60 and above. Following the fourth dose vaccination program implemented since February for residents of nursing hospitals and immunocompromised individuals, the government plans to expand the fourth dose to include the elderly aged 60 and above, with detailed vaccination plans to be announced this afternoon.

Following the UK, the second domestic case of the XL variant has been confirmed, leaving the possibility of additional variant emergence or resurgence. Lee Sang-won, head of the Epidemiological Investigation and Analysis Division at the Central Disease Control Headquarters, stated the day before, "We do not know what variants may emerge in the future, and immunity we currently have may weaken over time. Assuming there will be no future increases or resurgences is risky." Among the cumulative confirmed cases up to March 19 (9,243,907), an estimated 0.284% (26,239) were reinfections, and 37 cases of triple infections have also been confirmed.