561 New COVID-19 Cases... "Premature to Ease Social Distancing" Criticism

Dropped below 600 in three days...

Relaxation of social distancing enforced despite 3rd wave not subsiding
Seollal holiday impact has not yet fully materialized

On the 19th, citizens visiting Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, were informed about the suspension of outpatient services. Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital will suspend outpatient care and health checkups until the 21st to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and ensure patient safety. According to health authorities, since a confirmed case was reported at this hospital on the 12th, a total of 171 people have tested positive as of the 18th, including 70 patients, 24 staff members, 54 guardians and family members, 15 caregivers, and 8 acquaintances. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] The daily number of new COVID-19 cases in South Korea fell below 600 for the first time in three days. However, the figure remains high, leading to criticism that the government's easing of social distancing measures was premature, while health authorities appear to be facing increasing challenges.

On the 19th, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency's Central Disease Control Headquarters announced that as of midnight, the total number of COVID-19 cases rose by 561 from the previous day to 86,128. The infection routes were recorded as 533 local transmissions and 28 imported cases.

Compared to the 621 new cases reported on both the 17th and 18th, marking the first consecutive days in the 600s since early last month during the third wave, the number has slightly decreased. However, considering that the impact of the Lunar New Year holiday, which involved significant population movement, and the government's social distancing easing measures implemented from the 15th have not yet manifested, experts warn it is too early to be complacent.

The number of locally transmitted cases, a key indicator for adjusting distancing levels, recorded 345→304→323→429→590→590→533 from the 13th to the 19th, averaging 445 cases per day over the past week. This meets the criteria for raising the nationwide social distancing level to 2.5, which is set at 400?500 cases or more, or a rapid increase such as doubling of cases.

Since the government lowered the social distancing level from 2.5 to 2 in the metropolitan area and from 2 to 1.5 in non-metropolitan areas, and extended operating hours for multi-use facilities such as restaurants and cafes to 10 p.m. in the metropolitan area starting on the 15th, cases have surged.

At that time, experts expressed concerns that the third wave had not yet subsided and that population movement would increase due to the Lunar New Year holiday, but the government proceeded with easing the distancing measures. Professor Eom Jung-sik of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Gachon University Gil Medical Center stated, "Lowering the distancing level during the Lunar New Year holiday, when population movement and contact inevitably increase, while the third wave has not yet subsided, was too hasty. The effects of this should have been observed until the end of February." He added, "I believe raising the distancing level is necessary, but since the level was lowered just this week, it is difficult to immediately raise it again, so we need to monitor the situation closely."

On the evening of the 15th, around 9 PM, when the social distancing measures in the Seoul metropolitan area were eased to Level 2, the signboards of shops located near Jamsilsaenae Station in Songpa-gu, Seoul, were brightly lit. From this day, the operating hours restriction for restaurants and cafes in the metropolitan area was extended by one hour, from 9 PM to 10 PM.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The government is also deliberating on re-escalating distancing measures while monitoring the effects of easing. Son Young-rae, head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, said during a regular briefing on the same day, "We will maintain the current system until this weekend," adding, "It is too early to determine whether the increase is a temporary phenomenon caused by increased testing volume after the Lunar New Year holiday or if the third wave is spreading again, so we are closely monitoring the situation."

However, Son added, "We will observe the situation until around the weekend or early next week and make a comprehensive review regarding adjustments to social distancing." In previous briefings, the government also indicated that "If the spread continues, there is room to consider strengthening the current measures again," suggesting a possible re-examination of easing operating hours for multi-use facilities and adjusting distancing levels.

Following the easing of social distancing levels, the government's plan to introduce a new distancing system based on 'autonomy' and 'responsibility' from next month is also expected to face difficulties. The government initially planned to apply the new system starting next month as vaccinations begin this month, but has now decided to prepare the reform plan first and apply it after monitoring the trend of new cases.

According to the current draft prepared by the government, the existing five-level system of 1→1.5→2→2.5→3 will be simplified, and the criteria for each level will be relaxed. This reflects feedback that the risk and public behavioral response messages between 0.5-level increments were unclear. It is also reported that restrictions on private gatherings, such as bans on groups of five or more, will be included as part of the stage-specific limits on private meeting sizes.

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