[Q&A] "Transition to Living with COVID-19? Risk of Surge in New Cases at Current Level"

On the 15th, the day of the 21st National Assembly election, citizens are enjoying their holiday at Seoul Forest in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The government emphasized on the 17th that physical distancing remains necessary even after the end of the high-intensity social distancing measures.

Yoon Tae-ho, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters' quarantine team, said at a regular briefing held at the Government Complex Sejong that morning, "Living quarantine does not completely disregard the basic principles of social distancing nor does it transform into a new form."

Yoon explained, "There is a misunderstanding that living quarantine is a concept different from social distancing. However, even under living quarantine, social distancing of about 1 to 2 meters is still necessary."

The government explained that living quarantine is a concept that relaxes the legal enforceability compared to social distancing. Yoon said, "Social distancing involves legal and compulsory measures, but living quarantine allows for sustainable distancing in daily life."

He added, "Physical distancing is fundamentally included within living quarantine as well. However, the degree of enforcement and the extent of legal sanctions may differ."

The government plans to announce its plans regarding the transition to living quarantine this weekend, coinciding with the end of the second phase of social distancing. Yoon said, "We are preparing to transition to a sustainable living quarantine system that combines practicing social distancing with infection prevention activities in daily life. We will broadly collect and review opinions from various experts, local governments, and stakeholders, and provide detailed explanations to the public this weekend."

◇Below is a Q&A with Yoon, head of the quarantine team, regarding living quarantine

- You previously presented criteria for deciding the timing of the transition to living quarantine. Are there any changes to these criteria ahead of the transition decision?

▲ The government has several existing criteria. At the time, it was noted that these criteria were not complete. If social distancing is relaxed, there is a high possibility that hidden confirmed cases, especially asymptomatic infections, will emerge. If we move to the living quarantine phase at the current level, the risk of cases rising to 100 or 200 remains significant. We are considering all these factors in deciding whether to transition. We will comprehensively consider opinions from various experts, stakeholders, local governments, and central ministries.

- At the 2nd Living Quarantine Committee meeting, was the extension of social distancing until the 3rd of next month proposed?

▲ Various experts gave opinions at the Living Quarantine Committee, mainly that it is undesirable for the effectiveness of social distancing to weaken as we move to living quarantine. Living quarantine includes distancing in daily life and does not mean stopping social distancing or excluding it to transition to a different system. Proper implementation of distancing in daily life requires considerable preparation and understanding from all members.

- What will be discussed at the social distancing ministerial meeting chaired by the Prime Minister at 3 p.m. today?

▲ Opinions from various sectors related to social distancing, discussions from the previous day's Living Quarantine Committee, opinions from local governments, and discussions with related ministries.

- If living quarantine includes social distancing, will management and supervision of close-contact businesses such as PC rooms be maintained at the current level?

▲ Currently, the government has issued administrative orders to some businesses, and local governments have issued administrative orders to PC rooms as needed. The government has not issued administrative orders specifically for PC rooms but has done so in four main areas: religious facilities, indoor sports facilities, entertainment establishments, and academies. For other places like PC rooms and karaoke rooms, local governments take measures according to their situations. Administrative orders are quite stringent measures, and even if not issued, basic rules must be followed. If the rules are observed, businesses are allowed to operate.

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