97% of Seoul Citizens Say "Social Distancing → Transition to Everyday Quarantine Needed"

"April 19 Is Too Early," 63.6% Opinion
High Trust and Pride in Our Society's Response Capability

As the period of intensified social distancing to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) has been extended by two weeks, commuters are hurrying near Seoul City Hall on the morning of the 6th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The majority of Seoul citizens believe that once the government's designated 'social distancing' ends this weekend, it is necessary to partially normalize daily life and transition to a 'living quarantine system.' However, rather than fully switching from the 19th immediately, they think a sufficiently controllable response system should be established first, and they trust the government and local communities' preparations and quarantine capabilities for this purpose.

Seoul City announced on the 17th the results of a COVID-19 related public opinion survey conducted by Global Research from the 10th to the 12th, targeting 1,000 Seoul citizens aged 18 and older.

The survey results showed that 97% of Seoul citizens believe it is necessary to partially restore daily life after the enhanced 'social distancing' ends on the 19th and transition to a living quarantine system that balances daily life and quarantine. The biggest reason for the need to transition, chosen by more than half of respondents, was 'overcoming the economic crisis through normalization of economic activities (51.3%),' followed by 'relieving fatigue and psychological anxiety caused by prolonged distancing (19.8%)' and 'the need to resume outings and physical activities (13.5%).'

Regarding the appropriate timing for transitioning to the living quarantine system, 36.5% selected 'when the government judges that a controllable response system is in place regardless of the number of confirmed cases' as the top priority, followed by 'when new confirmed cases are 10 or fewer (33.8%),' '30 or fewer (19.6%),' and '50 or fewer (9.2%).'

However, concerning the timing of the transition, 33.4% agreed that 'the living quarantine system should be switched immediately from the 19th,' while 63.6% felt that 'although the transition is necessary, the 19th is a bit early,' indicating that concerns about the transition remain high.

The most worrisome situations when transitioning to the living quarantine system were 'unknown source infections such as asymptomatic infections (58.5%)' and 'new large-scale group infections (41.6%).' About three out of ten citizens also expressed concern about a 'situation beyond national control.'

The facilities and environments of greatest concern were 'multi-use facilities such as entertainment and religious facilities (46.9%),' 'childcare and educational facilities (42.2%),' and 'public transportation (35.7%).'

Regarding preparations for the transition to living quarantine, the highest proportion (30.3%) chose 'rearrangement of seats to limit congestion and minimize close contact routes,' followed by 'management of personal prevention rule compliance (27.6%)' and 'rapid response system for symptomatic individuals (17.9%).'

When asked about the outlook for COVID-19 spread, 51.8% predicted that 'COVID-19 will end domestically between July and December this year,' while 23.2% believed it would not end within the year.

Regarding the economic impact of COVID-19, more than half of citizens anticipated a 'long-term economic recession (54.8%),' and about two out of ten expected a 'Great Depression-level crisis such as mass layoffs and bankruptcies (22.1%).'

When asked about the level of anxiety citizens feel in various dimensions related to COVID-19, including infectious diseases, daily recovery, economy, and social relations, concerns about 'new group infections and increases in confirmed cases (92.8%)' were as high as concerns about economic areas such as 'domestic economic recession due to decreased domestic demand and exports (92.2%)' and 'massive layoffs and rising unemployment due to social changes (91%).'

In particular, seven out of ten citizens reported having experienced 'corona blue (corona + blue),' negative emotions such as loneliness, depression, and anxiety in daily life. The biggest reason for feeling anxious or depressed was 'the uncertainty about when the situation will end (41.9%, multiple responses),' followed by 'worries about COVID-19 infection for oneself and family (34.6%),' 'restrictions on outdoor and physical activities (33.1%),' and 'economic burdens and anxiety (29.5%).'

Meanwhile, more than eight out of ten citizens expressed trust in our society's infectious disease management capabilities, such as 'treatment of infected patients (89.6%)' and 'control of infectious disease spread (80.6%).' Additionally, more than seven out of ten trusted 'preparations by workplaces, schools, and communities for living quarantine (73.5%),' 'capabilities to provide guidelines and information (73.2%),' and 'government administrative guidance and supervisory abilities (71%).'

The proportion of citizens who have felt positive emotions in various contexts was also quite high, including 'gratitude toward frontline workers such as medical staff (93.7%),' 'pride in our quarantine capabilities (84.5%),' 'expectations for social development such as the medical industry (82.4%),' and 'being moved by citizens' efforts in their respective roles (80.3%).'

Park Jin-young, Seoul City's Director of Citizen Communication Planning, commented on citizens' concerns reflected in this survey: "We will prepare various measures not only to respond to infectious diseases but also to reduce citizens' anxiety factors such as the livelihood economy. Especially before transitioning to the living quarantine stage, we will establish an all-out response system so that citizens can trust our society's control capabilities and will also strive to communicate with citizens."

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