Outlined Daily Quarantine Measures: "If Sick, Rest for 3-4 Days and Avoid Handshakes"

As the government urged for strict social distancing measures to overcome COVID-19, Yeouido Hangang Park in Seoul was crowded with visitors on the 29th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] The government has outlined a 'daily quarantine' system that can be linked to everyday life as an extension of the enhanced social distancing measures currently in place to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

According to the government and quarantine authorities on the 13th, the daily quarantine system related to COVID-19 prevention consists of five core rules and 23 detailed rules. The five core rules are: "If you are sick, rest at home for 3-4 days," "Keep a sufficient distance of two arm lengths between people," "Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly, and cover your sleeves when coughing," "Ventilate at least twice a day and disinfect regularly," and "Even if the distance grows, keep your hearts close."

The government plans to implement enhanced social distancing until the 19th and, if the trend of new confirmed cases and patients released from quarantine stabilizes, will promote a transition to this daily quarantine system. The detailed rules of daily quarantine are as follows, and public opinions will be collected until the 26th.

The detailed behavioral rules for "If you are sick, rest at home for 3-4 days" are: ▲ If you have a fever or respiratory symptoms such as cough, sputum, muscle pain, or nasal congestion, stay at home and rest for 3-4 days ▲ If symptoms are present, avoid meeting others as much as possible, and if there are people in the house, wear a mask while living together. Especially avoid contact such as conversation and meals with the elderly or those with underlying conditions ▲ Return to daily life once symptoms disappear after rest, and if a high fever above 38 degrees Celsius persists or symptoms worsen during rest, contact the call center (1339, area code +120) or health center ▲ Even if symptomatic, if you must go out to visit a hospital or buy essentials, always wear a mask ▲ Companies and employers should ensure that symptomatic individuals do not come to work or help them return home to rest, among five key points.

The detailed rules for "Keep a sufficient distance of two arm lengths between people" are: ▲ Avoid enclosed spaces without ventilation or places where many people gather as much as possible ▲ Maintain a distance of 2 meters between people in daily life, and at least 1 meter even in narrow spaces ▲ Arrange seating to maintain this distance ▲ When many people must gather, secure a space that allows a 2-meter distance or stagger meeting times ▲ Do not shake hands or hug the people you meet, among five key points.

The detailed rules for "Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly, and cover your sleeves when coughing" are: ▲ Wash hands with soap under running water for more than 30 seconds before and after going out and eating, after using the restroom, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, and at least once every two hours ▲ Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands ▲ Provide washbasins and soap or hand sanitizers in personal and public places for easy handwashing ▲ Cover your mouth with tissue, handkerchief, or inside of your sleeve when coughing or sneezing ▲ Wear a mask if you have symptoms such as fever, cough, sputum, muscle pain, nasal congestion, or feel unwell, for the sake of others, among five key points.

The detailed rules for "Ventilate at least twice a day and disinfect regularly" are: ▲ If natural ventilation is possible, keep windows open at all times; if not, ventilate regularly (at least twice a day). When ventilating, open doors and windows simultaneously if possible. Indoor ventilation is necessary even if fine dust is present ▲ Keep daily spaces such as homes and offices clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces (phones, remote controls, handles, doorknobs, tables, armrests, switches, keyboards, mice, copiers, etc.) at least once a week ▲ In public places and spaces with many people, disinfect frequently touched surfaces (elevator buttons, doors, handles, railings, doorknobs, armrests, switches, etc.) and shared items (carts, etc.) daily ▲ When disinfecting, follow the manufacturer's recommendations (dosage and usage) and use disinfectants (disinfectant wipes, alcohol (70% ethanol), sodium hypochlorite (household bleach dilution, etc.)) safely, among four key points.

The detailed rules for "Even if the distance grows, keep your hearts close" are: ▲ Create opportunities to be together in spirit by frequently contacting family and close people even if you do not gather ▲ Think about sharing and solidarity for the community and oppose discrimination and stigma against COVID-19 patients and those in quarantine ▲ Act with consideration and share your heart with vulnerable groups who are easily isolated ▲ Verify the reliability of suspicious information by checking sources, do not share inaccurate rumors, and avoid excessive media immersion, among four key points.

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