Prime Minister Chung: "Social distancing extended for 2 more weeks... Ban on gatherings of 5 or more and business restrictions after 9 PM to continue" (Update)

"Resumption of Operation with Quarantine Rules for Multi-use Facilities like Health Clubs"
"Preparation of Quarantine Measures for Lunar New Year... Request to Refrain from Travel and Movement"
"Reasonable Adjustment of 'Excessive Quarantine Standards' for Cafes and Religious Facilities"

Prime Minister Jeong Sye-gyun is presiding over the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH) meeting for COVID-19 response at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 15th. The government plans to hold a CDSCH meeting on the 16th to finalize and announce adjustments to quarantine measures, including social distancing and the ban on private gatherings of five or more people. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwangho Lee] Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun announced on the 16th, "The social distancing level will be extended for another two weeks as it is," adding, "Measures such as the 'ban on gatherings of five or more people' and 'business restrictions after 9 PM,' which were highly effective in reducing interpersonal contact and curbing the spread of infection, will continue to be enforced."

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, "The CDSCH will decide on the adjustment plan for social distancing to be applied from next week," and added, "We have deeply deliberated between the imperative to tighten quarantine measures further to expedite the recovery of daily life and the reality that we cannot ignore the accumulated social fatigue and the suffering of numerous self-employed individuals."

Prime Minister Chung explained, "On the other hand, multi-use facilities such as health clubs, academies, and singing rooms, which had to close, will resume operations under strict quarantine rules," and "places like cafes and religious facilities, where many opinions suggested the quarantine standards were excessive, will be reasonably supplemented."

He continued, "While preparing this social distancing adjustment plan, the government also devised quarantine measures in preparation for the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday, which is just around the corner," and urged, "This Lunar New Year, rather than meeting with your beloved family and relatives, it seems we must be together in spirit. Although it is regrettable, please refrain from traveling and moving around, reduce contact, and prioritize protecting the health and safety of your parents in your hometown."

He added, "We are well aware that the government's quarantine measures announced today are not sufficient to restore your daily lives even a little or to ease the worries of countless small business owners and self-employed individuals," but emphasized, "However, the time of patience and suffering we are enduring now will never be in vain. The therapeutics and vaccines to be introduced sequentially from next month will strongly support 'participatory quarantine' in daily life."

Furthermore, he said, "Even at this moment, there are many unsung heroes around us who are quietly fulfilling their given duties. These include medical staff, soldiers, police officers, firefighters, and epidemiological investigators who are sweating and fighting on the front lines of quarantine," and mentioned, "Also, countless self-employed individuals and small business owners who have tearfully locked their shops for quarantine, and all citizens who endure inconvenience and thoroughly practice wearing masks and social distancing, are all heroes."

He concluded, "The government will mobilize all its capabilities to ensure that the dedication and efforts of these heroes are not in vain and will surely win the fight against COVID-19," adding, "If we can gather a little more strength over the next month, we will soon be able to welcome the 'spring of hope.'"

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