Prime Minister Jeong: "Raising Social Distancing in the Seoul Metropolitan Area to Level 1.5... Limiting Entry Numbers at Multi-use Facilities" (Update)

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun is speaking at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting on COVID-19 held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 17th.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwangho Lee] Prime Minister Jeong Sye-gyun said on the 17th, "Starting today, social distancing in the Seoul metropolitan area will be raised to level 1.5."

At the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) meeting held at the Government Seoul Office on the same day to respond to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), Prime Minister Jeong stated, "In the past week, more than 100 confirmed cases have occurred daily on average in the metropolitan area."

The government considered raising the distancing level in Gangwon Province as well, but for now decided to raise it only in the metropolitan area excluding Gangwon.

Prime Minister Jeong explained, "COVID-19 quarantine is simply facing a crisis. When the (social distancing) level is raised, the number of people allowed in most multi-use facilities such as restaurants, cafes, and wedding halls will be restricted. The number of people attending religious activities or sports games will also be reduced to within 30%."

He continued, "Citizens will experience greater inconvenience in their daily lives, and the burden on small business owners and self-employed people, who were gradually regaining vitality, will increase again. However, we already know from several experiences that if we do not make a decision now, a much bigger crisis will soon come."

Prime Minister Jeong emphasized, "Regions excluded from this level upgrade should not let their guard down. Our country has already become one living area. Because cities and people are closely connected, the reality of our country is that we cannot be complacent just because there are no confirmed cases today."

He added, "As the balance between quarantine and daily life, which has been maintained with difficulty, is once again in crisis, it is time for all of us to raise our vigilance. I ask all citizens to thoroughly follow basic quarantine rules such as wearing masks and social distancing wherever you are and whatever you do."

He also added, "Compliance with quarantine rules is the greatest strength to overcome this crisis."

Prime Minister Jeong said, "As the weather gets colder, the number of suspected flu patients is increasing, but only 66% of the influenza vaccination target group has completed vaccination so far. Experts recommend completing vaccination by the end of this month because it takes at least two weeks for the preventive effect to appear. Citizens who are eligible for free vaccination but have not yet been vaccinated are urged to get vaccinated as soon as possible."

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