"Premature" vs "Expecting Sales Recovery": Mixed Opinions on Transition to 'Level 1 Social Distancing'

From the 12th, 'Social Distancing' Level 1... Clubs and Karaoke Rooms Resume Operations
Proportion of Undetected Patients Approaches 20%
Experts Say "It's Too Early to Relax"

In front of a coin karaoke in Hongdae, Mapo-gu, Seoul, a temporary closure notice was posted last May. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Starting from the 12th, the government decided to ease the nationwide social distancing level from Level 2 to Level 1. Accordingly, high-risk facilities such as clubs, room salons, karaoke rooms, and buffets are now allowed to operate.

While self-employed business owners are hopeful for a recovery in consumer sentiment due to this measure, some citizens have expressed concerns. Some worry that easing social distancing measures amid ongoing so-called 'silent transmissions,' where infection routes are unknown, could actually increase risks. Experts point out that considering the incubation period has not fully passed since the Chuseok holiday, it is still too early to feel reassured.

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun stated at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting on the 11th, "We will adjust the nationwide social distancing level to Level 1, but maintain strengthened quarantine management for risk factors such as door-to-door sales."

Prime Minister Chung added, "In the metropolitan area, essential measures from the Level 2 social distancing guidelines will be maintained," and "core quarantine rules will still be mandatory for high-risk multi-use facilities, and distancing within establishments such as restaurants and cafes, where crowding is a concern, will continue."

The easing of quarantine levels considered public fatigue from the prolonged Level 2 social distancing and its impact on the economy. As a result, the ban on gatherings at 10 types of high-risk facilities, including large academies, buffets, entertainment establishments, and karaoke rooms, has been lifted.

However, in the metropolitan area, core quarantine rules must still be mandatory for general restaurants, movie theaters, and other facilities not classified as high-risk. Due to the slow containment of COVID-19, a de facto Level 1.5 social distancing has been applied exclusively in the metropolitan area.

At the entrance of a PC bang located in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, there is a notice stating that operations will be suspended for the time being due to government guidelines. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. Photo by Heo Midam damdam@asiae.co.kr

Some citizens have expressed concerns that the government's easing of social distancing measures is premature. This is because cases of infection transmission through family gatherings during the Chuseok holiday are emerging one by one, and sporadic infections are occurring in various places.

Office worker Kim (27) said, "The number of confirmed cases is only now stabilizing, but if social distancing suddenly shifts to Level 1, I worry that citizens might become complacent about quarantine," adding, "I understand that self-employed business owners are economically struggling, but at times like this, stronger measures should be taken in the short term to reduce the number of COVID-19 cases further."

He continued, "If it shifts to Level 1, office workers will go to their workplaces, and students will attend school," and pointed out, "There are many asymptomatic patients, so I worry that easing to Level 1 prematurely might be a mistake."

In particular, although the scale of infections has decreased, concerns are rising that 'silent transmission,' where it is unknown when and where infections occur, could lead to a 'twin-demic' of COVID-19 and influenza if vigilance is relaxed.

From the 28th of last month to midnight on the 11th, among 995 new confirmed cases over two weeks, 197 cases (19.8%) had unknown infection routes. Asymptomatic patients are difficult to trace for initial infection routes, making contact tracing challenging and increasing the risk of secondary infections.

On the other hand, self-employed business owners have welcomed the Level 1 social distancing measure. Owners of PC rooms and karaoke rooms, which had been unable to operate due to COVID-19 prevention measures, expressed expectations for reopening.

A karaoke room owner in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, said, "I was worried a lot about whether to close the karaoke room or not," adding, "Fortunately, the social distancing guidelines have been eased, so we can operate now. I am grateful," and expressed hope, "Sales won't normalize overnight, but I think things will gradually improve."

Experts believe it is still too early to feel reassured considering the incubation period has not fully passed since the Chuseok holiday.

Professor Kim Woo-joo, an infectious disease specialist at Korea University Guro Hospital, said, "I understand the government's difficulties, but the repeated tension and relaxation of guidelines based on 1-2 weeks of statistics is more exhausting."

He added, "Currently, with holidays such as Chuseok, National Foundation Day, and Hangul Day continuing, accurate testing has not been conducted," and expressed concern, "The number of tests is low, and control below 50 cases is not being achieved. The COVID-19 incubation period has not fully passed, so there is a high possibility of misjudgment."

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