"Relaxed Standards Raise Concerns" Detailed Social Distancing Raises Fears of Quarantine Loopholes

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Experts: "Guidelines Are Complex... Worst-Case Scenarios Like Medical System Collapse Not Considered"

Starting from the 7th, the 'social distancing' measures to respond to the novel coronavirus infection will be subdivided from the existing 3 levels into 5 levels: 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, and 3.
Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Suwan Kim] As the government plans to subdivide social distancing from 3 levels to 5 levels starting from the 7th, concerns are being raised about the adjustment of distancing measures. Critics point out that as adjustments are made by level, the guidelines become complicated, potentially creating loopholes in quarantine efforts. Experts have noted that the subdivision of distancing levels is causing difficulties for the public.

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) announced the "Social Distancing Reform Plan" on the 1st. Accordingly, from the 7th, social distancing will operate with the addition of "Level 1.5 and Level 2.5," resulting in a system of "Level 1 - Level 1.5 - Level 2 - Level 2.5 - Level 3."

At a regular briefing that day, Park Neung-hoo, the first deputy head of CDSCH, explained the reason for the reform, stating, "We judged that it is time to prepare a sustainable strategy to strengthen the response to living with the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19)." The plan aims to supplement the problems of the existing 3-level system and move away from the current distancing system focused solely on the number of new confirmed cases to control the epidemic.

The revised distancing levels will be determined by seven regions nationwide, including the metropolitan area, Chungcheong region, Honam region, Gyeongbuk region, Gyeongnam region, Gangwon, and Jeju, so the levels will vary depending on the epidemic situation in each area.

The escalation or reduction of levels will be decided based on the "1-week average daily domestic confirmed cases." According to the indicators, △ Level 1 applies when the metropolitan area has fewer than 100 cases and non-metropolitan areas fewer than 30 cases (Gangwon and Jeju fewer than 10 cases), △ Level 1.5 applies when the metropolitan area has 100 or more cases and non-metropolitan areas 30 or more cases (Gangwon and Jeju 10 or more), △ Level 2 applies if any one of the following is met: more than double the cases compared to Level 1.5, sustained epidemic in two or more regions, or nationwide cases exceeding 300, △ Level 2.5 applies when nationwide cases are 400 to 500 or more, or there is doubling (a phenomenon where daily confirmed cases double) or rapid increase, and △ Level 3 applies when nationwide cases are 800 to 1,000 or more, or there is doubling or rapid increase.

Additionally, under the daily life quarantine (Level 1) system, daily life and socio-economic activities are maintained, while mask-wearing and other quarantine rules are mandatory for some facilities and activities. Quarantine measures can be autonomously adjusted and implemented according to the situation of local governments.

For regional epidemics (Levels 1.5 to 2), the number of people allowed in wedding halls and funeral homes is limited to one person per 4 square meters, and movie theaters and performance halls must have seats spaced apart. For nationwide epidemics (Levels 2.5 to 3), strong controls such as operation restrictions after 9 p.m. will continue.

However, concerns are emerging that this distancing reform could lead to a weakening of vigilance. Because the adjustment criteria were relaxed compared to previous standards to consider quarantine standards compatible with the livelihood economy.

A 29-year-old office worker A, who recently announced the end of remote work, said, "As the distancing level is lowered, remote work is no longer allowed. The guidelines are expected to be relaxed starting from the 7th, but I am very worried about having to go to the office." He appealed, "At this rate, vigilance will also be relaxed. In the end, isn't all responsibility being shifted to each individual citizen?"

On the 19th of last month, a citizen visiting the COVID-19 screening clinic at the National Medical Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, is undergoing a test. / Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

Given this situation, there are also criticisms that the trend of confirmed cases by level is complicated as it differs between the metropolitan area and other regions. B, a housewife in her 50s, said, "Recently, the daily number of confirmed cases is either rapidly increasing or maintaining the status quo. I don't think the situation is stable. The government has set detailed guidelines considering the long-term COVID-19 situation, but it is too complicated and difficult." She added, "Local merchants also complain about how to manage store quarantine when the guidelines change."

Meanwhile, with vaccine and treatment development slowing down, there are forecasts that the COVID-19 crisis will continue until the end of next year. This is because the domestic COVID-19 confirmed case trend cannot be assured, and the overseas COVID-19 situation is worsening.

Anthony Fauci, director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and top infectious disease expert, said in an interview with the British public broadcaster BBC on the 25th of last month, "Talking about vaccinating a significant proportion of the population so that it can have a substantial impact on COVID-19 incidence, that will be very difficult until the second or third quarter of next year," predicting that widespread vaccination will only be possible by the end of next year.

Experts point out that this reform, which relaxes distancing standards, could be a turning point that undermines the globally recognized excellence of the K-quarantine system.

Professor Woojoo Kim, an infectious disease specialist at Korea University Guro Hospital, said, "Both ordinary citizens and business operators are struggling with the complicated guidelines. If people do not know the guidelines, they could become lawbreakers." He added, "Also, this could mean missing the three key elements emphasized in K-quarantine: testing, tracing, and treatment. The system that was strictly managed through widespread testing could collapse."

Professor Kim emphasized, "I understand that the government made this decision considering public fatigue and economic deterioration, but guidelines for frontline medical staff and patients undergoing treatment were omitted." He stressed, "It is also problematic that there is no mention of worst-case scenarios such as medical staff burden and system collapse."

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