Prime Minister Jeong: "Monitoring the Situation for 2 Weeks... Considering Additional Adjustments to Quarantine Measures if Necessary"

Prime Minister Jeong Sye-kyun. / Photo by Kang Jin-hyeong aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chae-seok] Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun stated on the 17th, "We will closely monitor the situation over the next two weeks and consider additional adjustments to quarantine measures if necessary."

Prime Minister Chung made these remarks during the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) meeting held at the Government Seoul Office on the response to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

Earlier, at the CDSCH meeting on the 16th, the government decided to extend the 'social distancing' measures (Level 2.5 in the metropolitan area and Level 2 in non-metropolitan areas) and the ban on gatherings of five or more people, which were scheduled to end that day, for two more weeks until the end of this month, followed immediately by special quarantine measures for the Lunar New Year holiday.

Operations of some facilities such as gyms and karaoke rooms were permitted. This has raised concerns about whether the declining trend of the third wave can be maintained.

Prime Minister Chung said, "There are citizens worried that infections might spread again due to the eased measures," adding, "If we had only considered quarantine, we would have maintained the existing strong measures as we have not yet reached a definite stable phase."

He explained, "This alternative was prepared after much deliberation because we could not ignore the urgent plight of people's livelihoods on the brink and many citizens exhausted by continued distancing," and added, "We will continue to communicate tirelessly with various sectors and consider ways to alleviate difficulties on the ground even a little."

He also did not forget to urge the public to comply with the quarantine measures. Prime Minister Chung said, "I feel sorry to ask once again to endure just a little more, but I earnestly request thorough implementation and practice from all citizens who have created 'K-quarantine.'"

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Chung emphasized to related ministries such as the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to respond so that transportation and other services are not disrupted in regions where heavy snowfall is expected, including Seoul, the metropolitan area, and the Chungcheong, Jeolla, and Gangwon regions.

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