"Definitive Control of the Outbreak Before Chuseok" Quarantine Authorities' All-Out Effort

98 New Locally Transmitted COVID-19 Cases... Below 100 for Two Consecutive Days
Special Quarantine Period to Be Set for Chuseok Holiday

On the 14th, when the social distancing measures strengthened due to the resurgence of COVID-19 were downgraded to level 2, commuters were walking along Sejong-daero in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] As the number of new domestic COVID-19 cases in South Korea has dropped to double digits for the first time in over a month, health authorities are making an all-out effort to maintain this downward trend.

The 2.5-level social distancing measures implemented over the past fifteen days are gradually showing effects, but there are concerns that a shift to level 2 might be interpreted as a signal to relax distancing. The authorities plan to maintain level 2 until the end of this month before the Chuseok holiday and have designated the holiday period as a special quarantine period. Since travel is expected to increase during the holiday and it coincides with the influenza season, they aim to suppress the spread as much as possible within 1 to 2 weeks.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters on the 14th, as of midnight, there were 109 new COVID-19 cases, including 98 domestic infections and 11 cases suspected to be imported. The number of domestic cases has been in double digits for two consecutive days following 99 cases the previous day, which is a decrease compared to the consistent triple-digit counts since the 15th of last month. This is why the authorities decided not to extend the 2.5-level social distancing measures that ended at midnight and lifted some of the high-intensity restrictions applied to certain facilities.

On the 14th, when social distancing measures, which had been strengthened due to the resurgence of COVID-19, were downgraded to level 2, an employee at a franchise coffee shop in Seoul disinfected tables and seats inside the store. Following the government's downgrade to level 2 social distancing, franchise cafes, bakeries, and bingsu shops will be able to allow customers to sit and use the premises as before. General restaurants, rest stops, and bakeries, which were only allowed takeout and delivery after 9 p.m., will now be able to serve food inside the store regardless of the time. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

The level 2 social distancing measures that started today will be in place until the 27th. Restrictions on restaurants and cafes that had limited in-store dining, as well as academies and indoor sports facilities that were practically closed, have been lifted, and PC rooms have resumed operations. Even if the number of new cases falls below 50 in two weeks, lowering the level to 1 is unlikely due to significant concerns about virus spread during the upcoming holiday period. The special quarantine period during the holiday will primarily maintain level 2 distancing, with the possibility of additional measures.

The current situation, with daily new cases around 100, continues to strain frontline epidemiological investigations and the healthcare system for patient treatment. Authorities believe it is necessary to control the outbreak at a lower level. However, there are concerns that repeatedly tightening and loosening measures based on the epidemic situation could cause confusion and increase fatigue, highlighting the need for clear and decisive actions.

Professor Kim Woo-joo of the Infectious Diseases Department at Korea University Guro Hospital said, "Adjusting social distancing every 1 to 2 weeks to reduce cases in a 'whack-a-mole' style is unsustainable and could lead to criticism that the government's quarantine policy increases uncertainty. Since this coincides with the influenza season, thorough preparation for a 'twindemic' is essential."

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