Park Neung-hoo: "We will support R&D and ease regulations for COVID-19 vaccines and treatments"

Park Neung-hoo, the 1st Deputy Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Minister of Health and Welfare), is speaking while presiding over the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting for COVID-19 response held at the Government Seoul Office on the morning of the 8th.

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] The government has decided to actively support the development of vaccines and treatments for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

Park Neung-hoo, the 1st Deputy Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters for COVID-19 (Minister of Health and Welfare), said before the meeting on the 8th, "We will discuss and promote support plans for corporate research and development, regulatory support, and support measures for startups and venture companies."

As COVID-19 spreads worldwide, vaccine and treatment development is gaining momentum, centered on major research institutions and pharmaceutical and bio companies. Efforts are underway in various fields, including drug repurposing to determine whether previously developed treatments are suitable for COVID-19, development of new drugs that did not exist before, and development of vaccines for preventive purposes. Our government also judges that it will be difficult to end COVID-19 in the near future and that there is a high possibility of resurgence, thus considering vaccines and treatments absolutely necessary.

Meanwhile, plans are being considered to allow visits at nursing institutions and nursing hospitals, which are classified as high-risk facilities for COVID-19. Currently, these facilities have prohibited visits through facility entry since March due to infection concerns, restricting direct contact between patients inside the facilities and outsiders. Deputy Head Park said, "The fatality rate is 12.9% for seniors aged 65 and over, and 25% for those aged 80 and above," adding, "In the process of transitioning to everyday social distancing, tasks related to the elderly must be prioritized above all else and implemented accordingly."

He also emphasized the need to improve dining-out culture. He urged the government and local governments to actively promote living quarantine rules, such as sharing food from separate plates or sitting apart in restaurants, so that these practices can naturally take root. Referring to a confirmed case of local infection in Yongin City, Gyeonggi Province, confirmed the previous day, Deputy Head Park said, "Even one infected person can cause local spread of COVID-19," and added, "We will be more vigilant and review and reorganize the response system in preparation for worsening situations."

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