Starting Tomorrow, New Social Distancing Measures... 수도권 Maintains 'Narrowly' Level 1

Addition of 1.5 and 2.5 Steps at Stage 3
To Raise the Capital Region to Stage 1.5
Weekly Average Daily Cases Must Reach 100
Chungnam Elevates Measures for Proactive Response

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] Starting from the 7th, a revised five-tier social distancing scheme will be implemented, with the metropolitan area maintaining Level 1 as is. In the metropolitan area, for Level 1 to be raised to Level 1.5, the weekly average of daily domestic COVID-19 cases must exceed 100, but the numbers are still in double digits. However, Chungnam Province, where a call center cluster infection occurred, is the only region nationwide to have raised social distancing in Cheonan and Asan from Level 1 to Level 1.5 starting from 6 p.m. the previous day.

All Regions Nationwide Except Chungnam Maintain Level 1
Cheonan and Asan Limit Entry to One Person per 4㎡ of Facility Area

On the 6th, Son Young-rae, head of the Strategic Planning Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, stated at the regular briefing of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, "From the 7th, except for Chungnam, Level 1 will be maintained as is in all regions including the metropolitan area," adding, "In regions other than Chungnam, there have been either no cases or only small-scale cases, so there is no consideration to raise the level."

According to the new revision, in the Chungcheong region, if the average daily confirmed cases exceed 30, the level will be raised to 1.5. Although Cheonan has not yet met the criteria, the level was raised as a preemptive measure. Accordingly, in Cheonan and Asan, entry to facilities such as wedding halls, funeral homes, bathhouses, PC rooms, and academies is limited to one person per 4㎡ of facility area.

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, as of midnight on the day, there were a total of 145 new confirmed cases, marking three consecutive days of triple-digit figures. The 145 new cases are the highest in two weeks since the 155 cases on the 23rd of last month. Among these, 117 were domestic cases, an increase of 9 from the previous day’s 108, maintaining triple digits for two consecutive days. Imported cases numbered 28, up by 11 from the previous day’s 17. Son said, "The key indicator for raising the distancing level is domestic confirmed cases," adding, "Imported cases do not significantly affect the evaluation of domestic spread, so we are closely monitoring domestic cases and preparing countermeasures."

Metropolitan Area Domestic Cases Average 69 per Day
Level Raise Requires Over 100 Cases

In the past week, the daily domestic cases in the metropolitan area were 77 → 81 → 62 → 36 → 84 → 72 → 72, averaging 69.1 per day. Since the weekly average daily domestic confirmed cases must exceed 100 to raise the level, there is still some leeway.

However, it is not a stage to be complacent. Cluster infections continue steadily in the metropolitan area, and small-scale infection cases persist in other regions such as Busan, Chungnam, and Gyeongnam. The impact of Halloween Day last month has begun to take effect, increasing the possibility of a rise in confirmed cases. Confirmed cases are occurring in various everyday settings including medical institutions and nursing facilities with vulnerable groups, family and acquaintances’ gatherings, workplaces, and saunas. Recently, new cluster outbreaks have been occurring linked to funeral homes, wedding halls, and call centers.

Son said, "The goal of the quarantine authorities is to maintain domestic cases in double digits, but the recent increase to triple digits is a concern," adding, "Unlike before when clusters occurred in a single facility, now sporadic infections are occurring in various everyday places, which is worrisome." He urged, "Citizens should not be complacent just because it is Level 1; always wear masks and avoid activities that release droplets such as gathering in enclosed indoor spaces for long periods, talking, or singing."

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