Government's Last Resort "Social Distancing Level 2 Extended for One More Week"

Prime Minister Chung: "Level 3 is the last card"
A desperate measure considering economic impact
Some say "Preemptive action needed to stop the outbreak"

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun is speaking at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting for COVID-19 response held on the 28th at the video conference room of the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] The government has decided after much deliberation to extend the Level 2 social distancing measures, which are set to end this weekend, by one more week. While infectious disease experts have raised the need to escalate to Level 3, the government is essentially reserving the 'last card' of stricter measures. The urgency to avoid the economic damage that would come with a Level 3 escalation is understood to be the reason behind this difficult decision.

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun stated at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting on the 28th, "Some suggest raising social distancing to Level 3, but considering the economic and social ripple effects, Level 3 is the last card we can play," and announced the extension of the current Level 2 measures for another week.

Earlier, after a cluster outbreak at Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, the government raised social distancing to Level 2 in the metropolitan area starting from the 16th. As signs of nationwide spread became clear, Level 2 was expanded nationwide from the 23rd. Initially, the government planned to review the possibility of raising to Level 3 after assessing the situation this weekend, but as the spread did not subside, some experts began advocating for a Level 3 escalation.

The government's decision to maintain the current level after careful consideration is based on the judgment that Level 3 measures, which are close to a lockdown, would likely deepen the economic downturn. As the COVID-19 crisis prolongs, self-employed individuals and small business owners are suffering significant damage, and there are concerns that Level 3 would effectively push them to the brink. There also appears to be a cautious view that more time is needed to see the effects of Level 2 social distancing.

Despite the government's decision, calls for raising to Level 3 continue, especially among infectious disease experts. Professor Lee Jae-gap (Department of Infectious Diseases, Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital) said, "As seen in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk cases, early proactive measures helped to quickly control the outbreak," and added, "Level 3 should be applied proactively."

Meanwhile, the newly confirmed COVID-19 cases reported today totaled 371, including 12 cases suspected to be imported. Most of the cases, 286, are from the metropolitan area. The cumulative number of cases in the metropolitan area has surpassed 7,200, exceeding the 7,007 cumulative cases in Daegu, where a large-scale outbreak linked to the Shincheonji Church of Jesus occurred. Currently, 4,210 patients are in isolation, and with 3 deaths reported yesterday, the total death toll has risen to 316.

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