Prime Minister Jeong: "If a large-scale infection occurs in the Seoul metropolitan area, the crisis faced by Western countries will also come to us"

Request for Cooperation to Extend High-Intensity 'Social Distancing' for 2 More Weeks

Prime Minister Jeong Sye-kyun

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwangho Lee] Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said on the 6th regarding the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) situation, "I don't even want to imagine it, but if the infection spreads on a large scale in the Seoul metropolitan area, the crisis that many Western countries are currently experiencing could come upon us again."

On the same day, Prime Minister Chung presided over the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH) meeting for COVID-19 response at the Government Seoul Office and stated, "From today, a two-week period of intensified social distancing has begun."

Prime Minister Chung emphasized, "If we become lax here, the infection will surely spread, so we had no choice but to extend the measures. While the previous crisis in Daegu and Gyeongbuk was overcome through everyone's cooperation and support, it is difficult to find a way out of a returning crisis."

He continued, "Many citizens who could not endure the frustration went out during the weekend when the spring sunshine was at its peak," adding, "Fortunately, they wore masks when going out. The risk of transmission outdoors is significantly lower than indoors, but in some cases, crowds gathered to a concerning extent."

He then said, "Physical distancing is not only a consideration for others but also the most effective preventive measure to protect oneself," urging, "Each citizen should become a prevention expert and pay attention to personal hygiene, such as securing sufficient safe distance, with the mindset of protecting their own health and the safety of the community."

Prime Minister Chung also expressed, "I am truly sorry and grateful to the medical staff risking their lives on the front lines of prevention, and to the school teachers and parents working hard to prepare for the first-ever online school openings."

Furthermore, he said, "No matter how long the lines for purchasing masks were, they could never be longer than the bonds of consideration and solidarity," and thanked, "Each and every citizen will be remembered as a true hero in the fight against COVID-19."

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