Park Neung-hoo: "Please refrain from going out as much as possible and stay home for 15 days" (Update)

Minister of Health and Welfare Park Neung-hoo. Source=Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The government will strengthen 'social distancing' measures for 15 days starting today to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

Park Neung-hoo, the 1st Deputy Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Minister of Health and Welfare), appealed at a briefing held at the Government Seoul Office on the 22nd, "We ask all citizens to participate in the enhanced social distancing practices from today until the 5th of next month."

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters decided to strengthen social distancing measures based on a comprehensive judgment of the following points: ▲sporadic cluster infections continue to occur in local communities and it is not yet safe due to the global pandemic ▲considering the incubation period (14 days), aiming to achieve early detection without secondary transmission or natural recovery ▲reducing community infections to a level manageable by the current quarantine and healthcare system to transition to a 'living quarantine' system that balances daily life and economic activities.

Deputy Head Park earnestly requested, "Please refrain from going out for 15 days and stay indoors as much as possible," and urged, "Please postpone or cancel unnecessary outings, gatherings, and travel, and refrain from going out except for purchasing daily necessities and visiting medical institutions."

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