Prime Minister Jeong: "COVID-19 Still Unstable...Careful Consideration of Discount Vouchers for Accommodation and More"

18th COVID-19 Response Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters Meeting

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun on the 18th expressed concern over the large fluctuations in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases domestically, describing the situation as unstable, and urged authorities to closely monitor overseas developments.

At the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH) meeting on COVID-19 held at the Government Seoul Office Building that day, Prime Minister Chung said, "The number of domestically transmitted confirmed cases over the past week has shown a wide range from a minimum of 41 to a maximum of 95, indicating that the situation remains unstable."

He added, "It has been a week since we declared a transition to a sustainable quarantine system while adjusting social distancing measures. This week should be one where we establish daily quarantine practices in all aspects of life, block large-scale group infections from medical institutions and call centers, and proactively respond to imminent risk factors such as increased movement in autumn and large temperature differences."

He noted, "The recent spread of COVID-19 overseas is severe," and reported, "Due to the rapid resurgence in Europe and the United States, the total number of confirmed cases worldwide is approaching 40 million, and deaths have already exceeded 1 million."

He continued, "This reflects the realization of the 'global second pandemic' that experts had warned about," and reminded, "The risk of COVID-19 entering the country is also increasing."

Prime Minister Chung said, "Even just last week, cases of overseas inflow from countries under surveillance doubled," and urged, "The quarantine authorities and related ministries should closely monitor overseas situations, thoroughly analyze risk factors by country, and take necessary preemptive measures."

He stated, "At today's meeting, we will discuss the previously postponed plan to provide consumer discount coupons depending on the quarantine situation," and said, "While the economy is important, the psychological stress felt by the public is very high, to the extent that terms like 'COVID Blue,' 'COVID Red,' and 'COVID Black' have recently emerged."

Prime Minister Chung concluded, "The government intends to support the public's cultural and leisure activities, which have been restricted so far, within the range that does not hinder quarantine efforts," and said, "The provision of discount coupons for lodging, travel, and dining will be carefully reviewed in the future while monitoring the quarantine situation."

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