Life Beyond Basic Quarantine Standards... Will Social Distancing Return?

Jeong Eun-gyeong "Social distancing measures may be strengthened"
Possibility of limited implementation focused on the Seoul metropolitan area

On the afternoon of the 27th, when a group of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) occurred at the Coupang logistics center in Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do, a notice informing the suspension of operations was posted on the fence of the Coupang Bucheon logistics center in Ojeong-dong, Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi-do. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Domestic new cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have exceeded the quarantine system maintenance criteria for the first time since the transition to 'everyday social distancing,' causing the quarantine authorities to be on alert. If the situation of exceeding the criteria continues, it may be necessary to decide on 'social distancing,' so all efforts are being focused on blocking group infections.

According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters and the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency Central Quarantine Countermeasures Headquarters as of midnight on the 28th, there were 79 new cases. Among the new cases, 67 were from the metropolitan area, following additional confirmed cases centered on the Coupang logistics center in Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi-do the previous day.

As the group infection situation worsened, the quarantine system maintenance criteria that had been barely maintained so far also collapsed. The government's conditions for transitioning from social distancing to everyday quarantine earlier this month were '50 or fewer new daily confirmed cases' and '5% or less of cases with unknown infection routes.' The proportion of confirmed cases with unclear infection routes exceeded 5%, which is considered a manageable level by the quarantine authorities, standing at 7.6% (23 cases) over the past two weeks. Amid this, due to the group infection originating from the Coupang logistics center, both conditions were unmet simultaneously for the first time since the transition of the quarantine system.

There are concerns that if the 'Nth infection' from the Coupang logistics center continues, the damage could be greater than the spread originating from the Itaewon clubs. This is because the number of workers who directly visited the center reaches about 4,000, and the age range is broad, which could lead to a vicious cycle of infections within families, schools, and communities. Family infections are already becoming a reality. The day before, a 3-year-old child living in Banghwa 1-dong, daughter of a Coupang logistics center worker, and a 13-year-old child living in Sindorim-dong were each confirmed positive.

The quarantine authorities, who have drawn a line on the necessity of returning to social distancing despite the spread from the Itaewon clubs, are showing signs of concern. Jung Eun-kyung, head of the Central Quarantine Countermeasures Headquarters, said, "If the number of patients to be traced and the number of exposed places increase, social distancing can be strengthened," leaving open the possibility of reinforcing the quarantine system.

However, even if the quarantine system is strengthened, it is highly likely to be implemented only in some areas such as the metropolitan area. Director Jung said, "There is an increasing trend of unclassified cases with unidentified infection routes in Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon, and accordingly, the risk of community infection has also increased," adding, "We will assess the risk, and if it is judged that control is not possible, it will be necessary to strengthen social distancing in some epidemic areas."

With Bucheon-si declaring a return to the social distancing system the day before, Kim Kang-lip, the first chief coordinator of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, also suggested that the quarantine system could be strengthened depending on the situation, saying, "Local governments can take necessary measures under the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act according to their judgment."

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