[Q&A] "The Effect of Social Distancing Will Appear with a Time Lag"

On the 20th, students are studying apart from each other in the emergency care classroom operated at Donggyo Elementary School in Mapo-gu, Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The government stated that if social distancing measures are relaxed, the activation of the daily quarantine system could be delayed.

Kim Kang-lip, the 1st General Coordinator of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, said at a regular briefing held at the Government Complex Sejong on the 31st, "We are making all-out efforts across the government to reduce the occurrence of COVID-19 patients, but we regret that a clear downward trend has not been observed."

The government has been implementing strengthened social distancing from the 22nd of last month until April 5th. Kim said, "Even after implementing strengthened social distancing, sporadic cluster infection cases are still occurring," and added, "Cases imported from overseas are also increasing, with around 100 new patients being confirmed daily."

Kim urged, "Please put in a little more effort and actively participate in the strengthened social distancing," and warned, "If preparations to block community infections are delayed, the timing for transitioning to a daily quarantine system that balances everyday life and quarantine could be pushed further away."

◇Below is a Q&A with General Coordinator Kim regarding the transition to daily quarantine

- What exactly does daily quarantine mean?

▲ Citizens are experiencing considerable inconvenience due to strong social distancing. However, considering the infection trends of COVID-19 and domestic and international situations, efforts to protect citizens from infectious diseases will be urgently needed for a considerable period from now on. Daily quarantine means creating more specific and routine guidelines through social consensus for things that can be followed like daily habits in everyday life, and ensuring that everyone follows them through learning.

To this end, the government will present basic guidelines, but will prepare specific guidelines tailored to individual workplaces or living areas by consulting experts. The timing for transitioning to the daily quarantine system is still under internal review.

- When transitioning to a sustainable daily quarantine system, restrictions on the operation of religious facilities, entertainment venues, indoor sports facilities, etc., are expected to be eased or lifted. What measures will be taken to encourage voluntary compliance?

▲ We heard experts' opinions on this matter yesterday and are in the process of refining the approach. Once discussions are more consolidated, we will explain the specific details.

- Despite strong social distancing, a clear downward trend has not been observed. Even if current quarantine measures are maintained, is it unlikely to expect further decreases?

▲ Two factors have influenced the current infection numbers not being reduced to a satisfactory level. One is that infections in the community, which had spread before the strong social distancing, have continued intermittently. This can show effects with a time lag through strong social distancing.

The other is overseas inflow. Including measures to be implemented tomorrow, a series of strengthened measures will require some time to show effects. We will observe the effects and establish new strategies accordingly if necessary.

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