"Social Distancing" Ends... Transition to "Distancing in Daily Life" Begins on the 6th (Updated)

Jung Segyun Prime Minister

[Asia Economy, reporter Lee Kwangho] On May 3, Prime Minister Jung Seyeon announced, "Starting from Wednesday the 6th, we will gradually resume the operation of facilities that have been closed, and, in principle, allow gatherings and events as long as quarantine guidelines are followed. The central government's administrative orders for major high-density facilities will be replaced with recommendations."

Prime Minister Jung, presiding over a meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCHQ) for COVID-19 response at the Government Complex Seoul on this day, stated, "We now intend to transition to social distancing in daily life, based on the high level of civic awareness demonstrated by the public. Many experts, local governments, and community members also believe that the conditions for this transition have been met."

He added, "We will also proceed with students' return to school in stages," and explained, "The Minister of Education will announce the specific timing and methods for in-person classes tomorrow."

He further stated, "If the current stable situation continues, I ask the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to discuss the possibility of adjusting the crisis alert level."

However, Prime Minister Jung emphasized, "These changes must never be misinterpreted as a signal that the risk has disappeared or that it is safe to return to normal life. This is only a compromise to resume economic and social activities while accepting a certain level of quarantine risk, because we can no longer bear the social and economic costs."

He continued, "Social distancing in our daily lives must still be strictly observed by everyone," and noted, "That is the meaning of 'distancing in daily life.'"

Prime Minister Jung also said, "Many countries are easing economic and social restrictions, but no country has yet succeeded in harmonizing daily life and quarantine. If the participation and cooperation of the public continues as it has until now, I believe that, just as K-quarantine became a global model, we can also create a globally recognized model for distancing in daily life."

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