Prime Minister Jeong convenes emergency ministerial meeting on COVID-19... discusses 'infection prevention measures'

Reviewing Return from 'Saenghwal Sok Georidugi' to 'Sahoejeok Georidugi'

Prime Minister Jeong Sye-kyun

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwangho Lee] Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun convened an emergency meeting of related ministers on the 28th regarding the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). This was to discuss measures to block infections due to the recent sharp increase in new confirmed cases. It is also expected that whether to revert the relaxed quarantine level from 'distancing in daily life' back to 'social distancing' will be discussed.

At 11 a.m. that day, Prime Minister Chung held a closed-door 'Emergency Meeting of Related Ministers on COVID-19 Quarantine in the Metropolitan Area' at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters in the Government Seoul Office.

A Prime Minister's Office official said, "The emergency ministerial meeting was convened to check the increase in COVID-19 confirmed cases and the situation," adding, "Measures to block infections originating from Coupang are expected to be announced."

The government switched its quarantine system earlier this month to daily quarantine, which balances everyday life and quarantine. However, with signs of resurgence recently and an increase in asymptomatic 'dark figure' cases with unknown infection routes, there are speculations that a partial and phased return to social distancing might be considered.

Regarding this, a Prime Minister's Office official said, "It has not been decided yet, but it could be discussed."

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters, 79 new confirmed cases were reported that day. Among the total new cases, 68 occurred in the community, and 11 were imported from overseas. By region, 22 cases were in Seoul, 22 in Incheon, and 21 in Gyeonggi Province, with most new cases occurring in the metropolitan area.

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