Jeong Sye-gyun "Social Distancing Extended 2 Weeks Until Lunar New Year... Pfizer Vaccine to Be Introduced Mid-Next Month" (Update)

Opening Remarks at the COVID-19 Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters Meeting

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun is presiding over the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH) meeting on COVID-19 response held at the Government Seoul Office Building on the afternoon of the 31st. 2021.1.31
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Son Sun-hee] Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun announced on the 31st, "The government will extend the current social distancing level and quarantine standards for two weeks until the end of the Lunar New Year holiday." He also stated, "As early as mid-February, 117,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine, enough for about 60,000 people, will arrive in the country."

Accordingly, the 'ban on private gatherings of five or more people' and the 'business hour restrictions after 9 PM' will be maintained until the end of the Lunar New Year holiday.

On the same day, Prime Minister Chung presided over the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting at the Government Seoul Office and said in his opening remarks, "This government decision was not easy."

This decision by the government is aimed at ensuring the smooth rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination starting next month and firmly stabilizing the third wave of infections ahead of the school reopening season in March.

However, Prime Minister Chung said, "The people who touched my heart the most when deciding on these quarantine measures were the small business owners and self-employed nationwide," adding, "It is truly regrettable and sorrowful to think of the entertainment facility owners who have closed their shops for more than two months while still paying rent, and the many self-employed people who are barely surviving day by day due to reduced business hours." Nevertheless, he emphasized, "Your cooperation and participation are crucial until the end of the Lunar New Year holiday," and earnestly urged, "I sincerely ask all small business owners and self-employed people across the country to hold on a little longer so that we can overcome the last hurdle of the third wave as soon as possible."

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun is presiding over the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH) meeting for COVID-19 response held at the Government Seoul Office Building on the afternoon of the 31st. January 31, 2021.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Along with this, he provided more detailed plans for vaccine introduction. Prime Minister Chung said, "We have received official notification regarding the vaccines to be supplied to our country through the COVAX Facility," officially confirming the introduction of the Pfizer vaccine in mid-next month. He added, "The AstraZeneca vaccine through COVAX will also be introduced in the first half of the year, with a minimum of 1.3 million doses and a maximum of 2.19 million doses, following the World Health Organization (WHO) emergency use approval, and at least 300,000 doses will be supplied between February and March."

Prime Minister Chung stated, "The AstraZeneca vaccine, which the government has individually contracted, will also be supplied from the end of next month once it passes the approval of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety," and said, "The schedule for vaccine introduction and inoculation in the first quarter has become more visible."

He then urged the quarantine authorities, "The Pan-government Vaccination Response Promotion Team should prepare so that vaccinations can begin without delay as soon as the vaccines arrive," and requested, "Please prepare thoroughly according to actual situations through mock drills and rehearsals starting this week."

Prime Minister Chung offered condolences to the family of an octogenarian doctor who recently sacrificed his life after contracting COVID-19 while treating patients. He said, "Even at this moment, many medical personnel are fighting COVID-19 on the frontlines nationwide," and expressed deep gratitude for their hard work and dedication, urging them to "do their best but also take care of their own safety."

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