"Scatter, There Is No Other Way" Jeong Eun-kyung's Appeal

First Day of Strengthened Social Distancing, Frontline Citizens Urged to Maintain Preventive Awareness
Director Jeong: "Infectious Disease Disasters Can Be Mitigated Through Solidarity"

Jung Eun-kyung, Head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] "Paradoxically, the way to unite in the era of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) is for everyone to disperse and maintain distance between people. There is no way to control the current outbreak other than reducing contact."

This was the message delivered by Jeong Eun-kyeong, head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, during the regular briefing on the 30th. Starting from this day, social distancing rules have been further strengthened, including restrictions on operating hours for restaurants and cafes in the metropolitan area. How well frontline citizens adhere to these rules is considered the key to curbing the spread going forward. Depending on the results of this measure, which will continue until the 6th of next month, the level of social distancing may be raised further or lowered back to previous levels.

Director Jeong said, "With the feeling that there is no room to retreat, I ask everyone to refrain from gatherings and participate in social distancing with strong solidarity and cooperation over the next week to help turn the crisis around." She added, "I request that young and middle-aged adults, office workers, and students?who are easily infected asymptomatically or mildly and have wide community activity ranges?reduce unnecessary outdoor activities and join in blocking transmission."

On the 30th, as the novel coronavirus infection rapidly spread mainly in the metropolitan area, social distancing level 2.5 was implemented, and the streets of Myeongdong, Jung-gu, Seoul, appeared quiet. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

The localized outbreaks centered around churches in the metropolitan area became clearly nationwide after the gatherings in downtown areas such as Gwanghwamun, Seoul, on the 15th. The problem is that a considerable number of participants are still estimated to be hiding their participation or not getting tested even after attending, making transmission control difficult. This is the background for the authorities applying measures evaluated as social distancing level 2.5 in the metropolitan area. If additional transmission is not prevented, it could spread widely nationwide, leading to delayed treatment or even collapse of the medical system due to bed shortages.

Director Jeong stated, "Unlike natural disasters, infectious disease disasters can have their risk magnitude suppressed and damage scope sufficiently reduced through the united strength of our people." She continued, "Although self-employed and small business owners face great difficulties, I earnestly hope that our people will cooperate and unite in social distancing over the next week to regain daily life and create a turning point."

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