[Q&A] Park Neung-hoo "Confirmed Cases Will Significantly Decrease Due to Strengthened Social Distancing"

[Image 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 first 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, saying, "We ask all citizens to participate in the enhanced social distancing practices from today until May 5."

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), the aim is to achieve early detection without secondary transmission or natural recovery ▲to reduce community infections to a level manageable by the current quarantine and healthcare system and transition to a 'living quarantine' system that harmonizes daily life and economic activities.

Deputy Head Park earnestly requested, "Please refrain from going out for 15 days and stay at home 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."

◇The following is a Q&A with Deputy Head Park regarding the strengthening of social distancing

-Isn't the effect of strengthening social distancing for 15 days only temporary?

▲It is much more likely that the 15-day enhanced social distancing will not lead to a declaration of the end of the outbreak. Even if there are no confirmed cases occurring domestically during that period, confirmed patients continuously enter from overseas, so it will take a considerable amount of time before any country in the world can declare the end of the pandemic.

Nevertheless, the social distancing campaign is expected to be very useful in minimizing community transmission that may occur domestically. In particular, the enhanced social distancing is implemented to secure safety for the tentative reopening of elementary, middle, and high schools scheduled for May 6. It is expected that the number of new confirmed cases will significantly decrease during this period.

-What is the sustainable 'living quarantine' that harmonizes daily life and economic activities?

▲Since COVID-19 is spreading worldwide, confirmed cases will inevitably continue for a considerable period. This means establishing a habitual quarantine system so that citizens can appropriately practice quarantine measures in their daily lives in preparation for this prolonged battle.

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