Prime Minister Jeong: "Vaccinations to Start as Early as February... Vaccination Response Task Force Activated" (Update)

"Prepare thoroughly from arrival to final vaccination and post-care"
"Many controversies over fairness of quarantine standards... Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters must prepare supplementary measures"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwangho Lee] Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said on the 6th, "We will operate a vaccination response promotion team jointly with related ministries," and added, "We will meticulously prepare every step from the moment the vaccine arrives to the final vaccination and post-management."

At the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH) meeting held at Seoul City Hall on the same day to respond to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), Prime Minister Chung stated, "We will thoroughly prepare for the vaccination, which is expected to start as early as next month."

He expressed, "The government will strengthen quarantine measures further," and said, "The approval review for the AstraZeneca vaccine, which was submitted two days ago, will be conducted swiftly yet meticulously."

Regarding the quarantine standards for indoor sports facilities applied since last Monday, Prime Minister Chung said, "There has been much controversy over fairness. A representative example is that health clubs are prohibited from operating while Taekwondo dojangs are allowed, despite being similar facilities." He added, "Although the government set the standards after careful consideration, if they are not accepted on the ground, they must be supplemented. Implementation and practice are more important than the standards themselves."

He then instructed, "I hope the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters will prepare supplementary measures."

Prime Minister Chung also said, "At yesterday's Cabinet meeting, a customized COVID-19 damage support plan worth a total of 9.3 trillion won was confirmed," and added, "It will help ease the burdens of 5.8 million self-employed people, small business owners, and vulnerable employment groups who are enduring this 'winter of hardship' with difficulty."

He continued, "Speed is important. Related ministries and local governments should make every effort to ensure that the relevant budgets are executed as quickly as possible," and urged, "The financial authorities should regularly check the budget execution status."

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