"COVID-19 Isolation Requirement Shortened to 5 Days from May... Full Lift in July"

Prime Minister Han Deok-su Chairs Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters Meeting... Announces Roadmap for Adjusting COVID-19 Quarantine Regulations

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo announced on the 29th that “a decision will be made in early May on whether to downgrade the COVID-19 crisis level.” If the COVID-19 response level is downgraded in early May, the mandatory isolation period will be shortened from 7 days to 5 days, and it will be completely lifted in July.

On the morning of the same day, at the COVID-19 Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters and Spring Safety Measures Progress Review Meeting held at the Government Seoul Office, Prime Minister Han stated, “The global decline in COVID-19 cases is clearly evident,” and made the announcement. He said, “We will lower the 'Severe' level, which has been maintained since February 2020, to the 'Alert' level, and along with the downgrade of the crisis level, the mandatory isolation period for confirmed cases will be shortened from 7 days to 5 days.”

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Prime Minister Han said, “After reviewing the epidemic situation following the first-stage measures, we will finalize the second-stage measures, which include adjusting the infectious disease classification from level 2 to level 4, and convert the mandatory isolation and some remaining mask-wearing requirements to 'full recommendations.' The surveillance system for confirmed cases will also shift from full surveillance to sample surveillance.”

He added, “However, the protection system for vulnerable groups such as the elderly will be maintained.” Each ministry and local government will proactively prepare necessary measures such as revising related guidelines and will provide detailed explanations to the public regarding changes in the scope of hospitalization treatment support and other specifics.

The early May mentioned by Prime Minister Han is after the 15th World Health Organization (WHO) International Health Regulations Emergency Committee meeting on COVID-19, scheduled for late April. If the WHO lifts the Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), it means entering the first stage.