President Moon: "COVID-19 is gradually calming down... We will succeed in both quarantine and the economy"

Social Distancing Lowered to Level 2
"The War Against COVID-19 Is a Long-Term Battle"
Safety Appeal for Chuseok Delivery Workers

President Moon Jae-in is presiding over the senior secretaries and aides meeting at the Blue House on the 14th.

President Moon Jae-in said on the 14th, "The recent resurgence of COVID-19 over the past month is gradually calming down," and added, "The government will surely succeed in both quarantine and the economy."

Presiding over the senior secretaries' meeting at the Blue House that afternoon, President Moon stated in his opening remarks, "The government has partially adjusted quarantine measures in the metropolitan area starting today," and said, "This is a realistic plan drawn up by the government after synthesizing opinions from experts and the field to protect the lives of the people in both quarantine and the economy, on the premise of strictly maintaining Level 2 social distancing."

President Moon emphasized, "We especially focused on easing restrictions on livelihood facilities and businesses of the lower-income class," adding, "This is the minimum measure to allow small business owners and self-employed people, who are facing critical situations, to maintain their livelihoods without giving up while keeping the tension of quarantine."

He explained, "The reason for adjusting the quarantine measures is primarily based on the judgment that the strengthened quarantine measures so far have been effective." He continued, "Along with the assessment that COVID-19 is within the control range of our quarantine system, another reason for adjusting the measures is that we cannot blindly demand sacrifice from those facing threats to their livelihoods due to prolonged business suspensions and restrictions."

President Moon said, "The war against COVID-19 is a long-term battle," and added, "From the government's standpoint, in a situation where we have to live with COVID-19 for a long time, we cannot neglect either quarantine or the economy."

He stressed, "We must find a path where quarantine and the economy go hand in hand to protect the lives and livelihoods of the people," and said, "Until COVID-19 is completely eradicated, we have no choice but to maintain a delicate balance between quarantine and the economy."

Additionally, President Moon urged attention to the health and safety of delivery workers during the Chuseok holiday. He said, "Especially with the rapid increase in demand due to non-face-to-face economic activities and the workload surging with Chuseok approaching, the overwork and safety issues of delivery workers are matters that all of us must pay special attention to."

President Moon added, "In particular, as the government encourages Chuseok gifts of our agricultural, livestock, and fishery products, the volume of deliveries during Chuseok may increase further," and said, "Relevant ministries should strengthen labor supervision to prevent delivery workers from suffering from excessive labor, increase temporary workforce through on-site inspections, and strive to create a safer working environment."

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