"Infectious Diseases, Transmission Pattern from Children to Families to Society" Quarantine Authorities Lean Towards Postponing School Opening

Quarantine Countermeasures Headquarters: "Overseas patients increasing, common infectious diseases start at schools and spread to homes and society"
"Regardless of school opening timing, thorough quarantine measures must be maintained in daily life"... Decision likely after expert consultation

The National After-School Instructors Branch and the After-School Instructors Union held a press conference on the morning of the 12th in front of the Ministry of Employment and Labor Sejong Office in Sejong City, urging measures to secure the livelihood of after-school instructors due to the postponement of school openings.

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] On the 14th, quarantine authorities stated their position to consult with related experts and government departments before deciding on additional postponement of school openings due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). Earlier, the school opening date was postponed by about two weeks to the 23rd, citing the increased possibility of importation from overseas and the fact that typical infectious disease outbreaks usually begin centered around children and schools.

At a briefing that day, Kwon Jun-wook, Deputy Head of the Central Quarantine Countermeasures Headquarters, said, "The Crisis Countermeasure Expert Committee under the Infectious Disease Management Committee will hold a meeting this afternoon, gathering experts from various fields to evaluate social distancing policies including the issue of school opening (postponement) and discuss whether additional measures are necessary."

Although a decision on whether to postpone school opening once more has not yet been made, it is reported that there is a consensus within the authorities that a decision should be made soon given that about ten days remain. The quarantine authorities are expected to make a final decision after hearing expert opinions and consulting with the education authorities. However, within the Quarantine Countermeasures Headquarters, which oversees quarantine operations, it is emphasized that social distancing measures, which have been stressed so far, are still necessary. In particular, the fact that patients are occurring worldwide, especially centered in Europe, creating a global pandemic situation, is also a concern for the quarantine authorities.

Deputy Head Kwon explained, "COVID-19 cases are explosively increasing overseas as well," adding, "Although it is true that symptoms and fatality rates are low among pediatric and adolescent patients, in the case of influenza, the pattern of spread known from the past is that transmission begins with children, then spreads to homes, and finally to society as a whole." He continued, "Regardless of whether school opening is postponed again or proceeds as scheduled (on the 23rd), the Quarantine Countermeasures Headquarters holds the position that all quarantine measures related to social distancing taken so far must be thoroughly prepared and implemented in schools and other educational institutions. We are discussing this with experts and conducting consultations within government departments."

During the 2009 novel influenza outbreak, the first domestic case was confirmed in May, and the increase was not steep until July. Subsequently, cluster infection cases emerged in some regions, and cases surged rapidly from August onward. At that time, some individual schools took measures such as postponing school openings, but it was not as widespread as the current situation where all schools have started the semester late on a large scale.

Currently, in daily life such as workplaces, individual citizens are voluntarily implementing quarantine measures like reducing gatherings and maintaining interpersonal distance. However, in school life, since groups gather and social distancing measures are practically impossible, there is a high possibility that cluster infections will occur simultaneously after school opening. The Ministry of Education is also reported to have reached a consensus leaning toward the difficulty of opening schools on the 23rd during recent discussions with superintendents.

Earlier that morning, at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters briefing, Controller Noh Hong-in said, "Daegu and Gyeongbuk are somewhat calming down, but cluster infection cases continue to occur in the metropolitan area, so we are maintaining vigilance," adding, "Opinions are divided on the necessity of postponing school opening, but we will discuss with the education authorities and announce a decision afterward."

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