Prime Minister Jeong: "If the increase in confirmed cases continues, seriously considering raising social distancing measures" (Update)

"Expansion of Preemptive Testing Nationwide, Operation of Special Quarantine Period for Year-End and New Year"
"Request to Reconsider Large Weekend Gatherings... Strict Response to Quarantine Guideline Violations"

Prime Minister Jeong Sye-kyun. / Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun stated on the 13th, "The recent number of confirmed cases has recorded three digits for six consecutive days, signaling a warning in quarantine efforts," adding, "If the current upward trend continues, we may have to seriously consider raising the social distancing level."

Prime Minister Chung made these remarks while presiding over the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting on COVID-19 at the Government Seoul Office that morning.

He said, "Cheonan and Asan have already raised their social distancing to level 1.5 based on their own judgment. This is a precarious situation where we must not be complacent or let our guard down even slightly."

He continued, "Until now, when confirmed cases appeared, quarantine efforts focused on suppressing infections through rapid epidemiological investigations," and emphasized, "From now on, we must engage in proactive quarantine based on medical resources and diagnostic testing capabilities."

Prime Minister Chung urged the Central Accident Response Headquarters and the Central Disease Control Headquarters to implement bold and precise quarantine measures such as focused management of vulnerable facilities like nursing hospitals, nationwide expansion of proactive testing, selection of areas for strengthened quarantine, and operation of special quarantine periods during the year-end and New Year holidays, calling for active participation and cooperation from the public.

He also expressed concern about the large-scale rallies scheduled this weekend in Seoul, Busan, and other locations, stating, "Simultaneous rallies in multiple regions amid ongoing infections are sufficient to ignite a large-scale spread."

Prime Minister Chung requested, "We ask the organizations involved to reconsider holding the rallies now, prioritizing the lives and safety of the people," and instructed, "The National Police Agency and relevant local governments must strictly manage and respond to ensure no violations of quarantine guidelines occur at the rally sites."

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