Prime Minister Jeong: "A Critical Turning Point to Decide Social Distancing Level Adjustment This Weekend"

Prime Minister Jeong Sye-kyun

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwangho Lee] Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said on the 19th, "This weekend will be a critical turning point in deciding whether to adjust the social distancing level," and added, "I hope all citizens will unite in practicing 'chamyeong-bangyeok' to prevent a situation where we have to endure much greater inconvenience and suffering than now."

At the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) meeting on COVID-19 held at the Government Seoul Office that day, Prime Minister Chung said, "A difficult week has passed and the weekend is here, but we cannot afford to let our guard down."

He mentioned, "From next weekend, the Christmas holiday and New Year holiday will continue for two consecutive weeks. Normally, there would be many gatherings and events among family, friends, and neighbors in a festive atmosphere to end the year, but this year, we must quietly spend the year-end for each other's safety."

He continued, "I ask you to spend the year-end and New Year holidays with the thought that you are protecting the health and safety of your loved ones first, with 'bodies apart but hearts closer'."

Furthermore, he said, "With Christmas just a week away, the number of confirmed cases originating from religious facilities has increased fivefold compared to two weeks ago, raising concerns," and requested, "Each religious denomination should switch year-end and New Year religious events to non-face-to-face and online formats, and strictly follow quarantine rules such as banning small gatherings and meals."

Prime Minister Chung also expressed concern, saying, "Recently, cluster infections have occurred at ski resorts, raising worries that winter leisure facilities might become a catalyst for the spread of COVID-19," and pointed out, "Ski resorts have many places where people line up or gather in crowds, making it difficult to properly maintain social distancing, and employees often share lodging and meals, making these facilities vulnerable to infection."

He added, "Recently, so-called 'season rooms,' shared accommodations near ski resorts, have been thriving, but due to the nature of many unspecified people gathering in a confined space, the risk of infection is very high," and noted, "Unlike regular lodging businesses, it is difficult to even grasp the current status, making it effectively a blind spot in quarantine. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism should promptly devise effective quarantine measures in consultation with the quarantine authorities."

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