[Q&A] If the Seoul Metropolitan Area is a hotspot in late August? Past Level 2.5, Future Level 1.5

Changes in 5-Stage Social Distancing
Supplementary Indicators Such as Patient Ratio Over 60 and Treatment Capacity
Detailed Stepwise Restrictions on Key Facility Operations

On the 27th of last month, students at Seongsu High School in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, are undergoing diagnostic tests at a temporary screening clinic set up on campus. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] The quarantine authorities have revised the social distancing system to a 5-level structure to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). This change was made because the gaps between the existing distancing levels were too wide, making adjustments difficult, and because the response capabilities have changed compared to the past. Here is a Q&A format explanation of the specific changes.

Q. When does the distancing level increase?

Under the previous 3-level distancing system, the levels were adjusted based on indicators such as the two-week average daily new confirmed cases, the management rate within the quarantine network, the proportion of patients with unknown infection routes, and the number of new cluster outbreaks. In the revised 5-level system, the key indicator is the weekly average daily new confirmed cases, with levels 1 and 2 distinguishing between the Seoul metropolitan area and non-metropolitan areas to assess new case trends. Levels 2 and 3 monitor nationwide case trends and raise the level if doubling (more than twice the increase) occurs.

Additionally, auxiliary indicators such as the weekly average number of confirmed cases aged 60 and above, the capacity of beds for severe patients, and epidemiological investigation capabilities will be used. The focus on patients aged 60 and above reflects the higher risk of severe illness in the elderly. For severe patients, since early rapid treatment is crucial, the capacity to accommodate severe patients nationwide and regionally will be monitored in real time and considered when adjusting levels. The epidemiological investigation capacity for contact tracing when new cases or cluster outbreaks are identified will also be reviewed and used for level adjustments. Existing indicators such as the infection reproduction number, cluster infection status, proportion of cases under investigation (unknown routes), and management rate within the quarantine network will continue to be used as auxiliary indicators.

Q. When will clubs and hunting bars face business restrictions?

Entertainment facilities such as clubs, room salons, danran pubs, emotional pubs, colatecs, and hunting bars were classified as high-risk facilities under the previous distancing system. In the revised 5-level distancing system, they are classified as one of nine key management facilities. Other key management facilities include karaoke rooms, indoor standing concert halls, direct sales promotion centers such as door-to-door sales, and restaurants and cafes (general restaurants, snack bars, and bakeries).

For entertainment facilities like clubs and hunting bars, under level 1 life quarantine, business is allowed with a limit of one person per 4 square meters of facility area. At level 1.5, additional rules such as prohibiting dancing and moving between seats are added. At level 2, these facilities are subject to closure orders and cannot operate. The same applies at levels 2.5 and 3. For direct sales facilities, karaoke rooms, and indoor standing concert halls, closure orders apply from level 2.5, while before that, restrictions such as limiting the number of people or banning operations after 9 p.m. are applied sequentially. Facility operators face fines up to 3 million KRW, and users up to 100,000 KRW for violating quarantine rules. A one-strike-out policy applies, meaning that if a violation is detected even once, closure orders are immediately enforced.

On the 29th, officials from the Itaewon Resident Autonomy Committee and residents are conducting disinfection work to prevent the spread of COVID-19 on Itaewon Street in Yongsan-gu, Seoul.

Q. How will school attendance adjustments change?

Schools will adjust attendance numbers according to each level from 1 to 2.5, and switch to remote learning at level 3. At level 1, the principle is two-thirds density, but adjustments can be made depending on local and school conditions. Overcrowded schools are recommended to maintain two-thirds density. At level 1.5, which corresponds to regional outbreaks, two-thirds density must be maintained, and at level 2, the principle changes to reducing density to one-third. The term "principle" means that adjustments can be made depending on circumstances.

At level 2, high schools apply two-thirds density. Flexible academic operations are allowed within a maximum of two-thirds density. When local education offices adjust density, they must consult in advance with local quarantine authorities or the Ministry of Education. At level 2.5, which corresponds to nationwide outbreaks, density must be maintained at about one-third. At level 3, classes switch to remote learning.

Q. What is the difference between the late August 2.5 level and future 2.5 levels?

In mid-August, during holidays and downtown rallies, the number of new cases surged, and a strengthened level 2 distancing, called 2.5 level, was applied to the Seoul metropolitan area. At that time, the two-week average daily new cases were about 300 nationwide, with about 240 in the metropolitan area. There were 40 new cluster outbreaks, and the proportion of cases with unknown infection routes was about 20%. Assuming a similar scale or pattern of outbreak, applying the newly revised distancing system would likely maintain level 1.5 while considering level 2 depending on the situation.

Park Neung-hoo, Minister of Health and Welfare and the first deputy head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, is giving a briefing on the COVID-19 Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting at the Government Seoul Office in Sejong-ro on the 1st.

Q. If the 'worst' level 3 is reached, will self-treatment be required?

With the revision of the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act, self-treatment has become possible depending on the patient's condition. Previously, isolation treatment was the principle for new infectious diseases, but reflecting the need to prioritize hospital beds for severe patients, this has changed. However, even if new cases surge and the distancing level is raised to level 3, the immediate application of self-treatment without isolating patients is currently unlikely.

For COVID-19, over 80% of cases are asymptomatic or mild and can recover without special treatment, but due to concerns about spread to the elderly, isolation treatment remains the principle. The central government and local governments plan to expand life treatment centers and establish dedicated infectious disease hospitals regionally to maintain a constant treatment system.

Park Neung-hoo, the first head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, said at a briefing on the 1st, "Currently, life treatment centers can accommodate 10,000 people simultaneously, and if new cases exceed that, self-treatment will inevitably be implemented. We will devise quarantine measures to prevent that and have internally prepared self-treatment guidelines in case of emergency."

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