Yoon Declares COVID-19 Crisis Alert Level from 'Severe' to 'Warning' at Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters
Quarantine Obligation, Post-Entry PCR Testing, and Mask Mandate Outside Hospitals Lifted
"Shifting from Political Quarantine to Science-Based System... Preparing for Post-COVID Era"
President Yoon Suk-yeol declared the COVID-19 endemic on the 11th. It has been 3 years and 4 months since the first confirmed case on January 20, 2020, and most COVID-19 quarantine measures have been lifted, allowing not only the daily lives of the people but also medical sites, which had been operating under separate systems, to largely return to normal.
On the morning of the same day, President Yoon presided over the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting at the Yongsan Presidential Office building and declared the practical end of COVID-19 by stating, "Today, we have adjusted the COVID-19 crisis alert level from 'serious' to 'caution' and decided to fully apply this from June." Accordingly, most COVID-19 quarantine regulations have been lifted, including ▲lifting the mandatory 7-day isolation for confirmed cases (changing to a 5-day recommendation), ▲lifting the recommendation for PCR testing after entry, and ▲lifting the indoor mask-wearing mandate except in hospitals with inpatient beds. COVID-19 has entered the endemic, or persistent infectious disease system.
This was the first time in nine months since the July 29 meeting at the Government Complex Seoul that President Yoon personally presided over the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting, the final decision-making body on COVID-19 quarantine. Until now, the meetings were chaired by the Minister and Vice Minister of Health and Welfare, but given the declaration of endemic status, President Yoon took over the meeting to deliver a message directly to the public.
On this day, President Yoon expressed his gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and nursing assistants who devoted themselves to overcoming COVID-19. He said, "I have visited hospitals responsible for COVID-19 diagnosis and treatment several times, and the medical staff worked very hard," emphasizing, "Thanks to their collaboration, we were able to overcome the pandemic. I express my gratitude on behalf of the people."
He also did not forget those involved in vaccine and therapeutic research. President Yoon added, "I thank the health industry workers, local government officials, and health authorities who devoted efforts to the research, development, and production of vaccines and therapeutics." He continued to acknowledge the citizens who actively cooperated with quarantine measures. President Yoon said, "Above all, I deeply thank all our citizens who actively cooperated with the quarantine measures," and added, "I am pleased that after 3 years and 4 months, the people have regained their daily lives."
The Presidential Office places great significance on the fact that the first message related to the second year of state administration is focused on 'achieving national tasks.' The 'advancement of the infectious disease response system,' which includes 'full reform of the COVID-19 response system to restore the daily lives of the people,' is one of President Yoon's pledges. During his candidacy, he advocated for the "withdrawal of unscientific quarantine passes" and criticized the previous government's quarantine system as "political quarantine."
However, President Yoon announced post-COVID policies by stating, "The government will steadily prepare a scientifically based response system to prepare for new pandemics." Since COVID-19 has not disappeared but remains as an endemic disease, the government plans to respond according to periods of declining immunity and by age groups. The government's emphasis on protecting high-risk and vulnerable groups and its decision to maintain COVID-related testing and treatment support for the time being are in line with this approach.
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