Park Neung-hoo "Please Refrain from Gatherings"... Jeong Eun-kyeong "No Other Way Than Reducing Meetings" (Update)

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun is announcing strengthened quarantine measures related to the third wave of COVID-19 at the "Emergency Press Conference to Overcome COVID-19" held on the 29th at the briefing room of the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul. From left: Park Neung-hoo, Minister of Health and Welfare; Prime Minister Chung; sign language interpreter; Jeong Eun-kyeong, Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Due to the third wave of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in South Korea, the nationwide social distancing levels will be raised starting next month. Park Neung-hoo, the first vice head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) and Minister of Health and Welfare, said on the 29th, "Since this is an emergency period, we earnestly request that gatherings be refrained from for the time being."

Vice Head Park stated at a press briefing held after the CDSCH meeting that afternoon, "The spread of infection is not occurring in specific groups or regions, but rather close to everyday life surroundings."

The government repeatedly emphasized that the most important way to prevent the third wave is for each citizen to become the main agent of quarantine. Vice Head Park said, "Maintaining vigilance in daily life and thoroughly implementing quarantine measures is the most important rule and code of conduct," adding, "People must adhere to the basics such as wearing masks and washing hands."

To this end, he urged people to avoid dining gatherings and meetings with acquaintances whenever possible. Vice Head Park appealed, "If even one person nearby is infected, the virus can spread during processes like eating without masks," and "Please refrain from gatherings with relatives other than household members, and if unavoidable, be sure to wear masks to prevent transmission to neighbors."

Jung Eun-kyung, head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters (Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency), raised her voice regarding the spread of infection by asymptomatic individuals, saying, "There is no way to block the spread of infection other than reducing interpersonal meetings."

Director Jung explained, "The coronavirus is infectious from two days before symptom onset, and during the 2-3 days after onset when infectivity is highest, symptoms are very mild and hard to recognize," adding, "By the time a confirmed patient undergoes a COVID-19 diagnostic test, they have already caused exposure."

Director Jung said, "If we fail to control the current outbreak, the social distancing level will have to be raised again," and emphasized, "Refraining from gatherings and wearing masks until the end of the year is absolutely crucial."

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