Prime Minister Jeong: "Avoid Excessive Retraction Over Novel Coronavirus... Scheduled Events Should Proceed as Planned"

Prime Minister Jeong Sye-kyun

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwangho Lee] Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said on the 12th, "It is not advisable to unconditionally cancel events hosted by the central government or local governments due to the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia). I hope that thorough quarantine measures will be put in place and scheduled events will proceed as planned."

At the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting held at the Seoul Situation Center of the Central Disaster and Safety Situation Room in the Government Seoul Office Building on the same day, Prime Minister Chung stated, "Quarantine should be done without any gaps, but excessive restraint should be avoided."

He explained, "Closing a facility for several days just because a confirmed patient visited is excessive from a public health perspective," and added, "Even for places visited by confirmed patients, the Quarantine Countermeasures Headquarters' position is that after disinfection, operation can resume from the second day onward." He also urged, "I hope the public trusts the government and continues their daily lives."

Prime Minister Chung also said, "Recently, due to concerns about infection from the novel coronavirus, group blood donations have decreased by 25%, causing difficulties in blood supply," and ordered, "The Ministry of Health and Welfare should prepare measures to manage blood supply stably." In this regard, the Prime Minister's Office plans to hold a group blood donation event next week.

He also delivered a message regarding quarantine and safety on university campuses for the new semester. Prime Minister Chung said, "University campuses are expecting the arrival of Chinese international students for the new semester. Careful measures are needed to minimize community contact for a certain period after their arrival," and mentioned, "The Ministry of Education and related ministries should promptly prepare relevant measures together with universities and local communities."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.