"Step 3 Is Not a 'Lockdown' Like in Europe... Measures Such as Store Closures Are Difficult" (Update)

Lee Sang-won, Head of the Epidemiological Investigation and Analysis Division at the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, is holding a regular briefing on the domestic status of COVID-19 cases and the interim survey results of confirmed patients. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] The quarantine authorities predicted that even if the social distancing level is raised to the highest level 3, a complete lockdown like in some European countries would be difficult. They also stated that considering the side effects of raising the level, the goal is to block the spread and establish a medical response system capable of handling confirmed patients at the current situation of level 2.5 in the metropolitan area.

On the afternoon of the 17th, Lee Sang-won, head of the Epidemiological Investigation and Analysis Team at the Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH), emphasized during a regular briefing that "the level 3 is not the same concept as the lockdowns discussed in European countries," in response to a question about reports of panic buying due to the possibility of large marts being closed if the level is raised to 3.

He added, "Although it is a much stronger measure, it is difficult to think of it as closing marts and not being able to buy daily necessities," and "We are doing our best to suppress the spread so that such a stage does not occur, and focusing efforts on securing beds and expanding infrastructure to handle critically ill patients."

According to the CDCH, among the 11,241 confirmed cases from the 1st to the 16th of this month, the main infection route was contact with previously confirmed patients at 43.2% (4,853 people), which was the highest. Next was cluster outbreaks at 30.4%.

Looking at the changes in infection routes over the four weeks from the 22nd of last month to the 16th of this month, infections in nursing hospitals and facilities have been increasing (2.5% → 9.8%) since this month, and infections in religious facilities also increased about fivefold (279 people) compared to two weeks ago (53 people).

Some argue that since it is difficult for the public to stop their daily lives on their own, policy intervention by the government or quarantine authorities is necessary. In response, Lee said, "In December, the amount of movement did not decrease as much as the government and quarantine authorities expected," and explained, "The current strategy is to reduce such contacts through social distancing by any means."

He added, "Blocking social contact through coercive methods is an issue that must be considered along with its effectiveness and outcomes," and "We are giving it sufficient thought, and policy intervention will be decisively implemented if necessary."

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