Authorities: "Currently in the 3rd wave... Special Metropolitan Area Quarantine Measures to be Announced Tomorrow"

"Jungdaebon Holds Special Metropolitan Area Expansion Meeting to Decide"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] The quarantine authorities have drawn a line against claims that the country has entered the fourth wave of COVID-19, stating that the "third wave is ongoing" amid the recent surge in cases. For now, reflecting the fact that over 70% of recent confirmed cases are concentrated in the Seoul metropolitan area, the authorities plan to announce special quarantine measures for the metropolitan area on the 16th.

Yoon Tae-ho, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH) Quarantine General Division, said at a COVID-19 briefing on the 15th, "It is still premature to say that the fourth wave has begun," adding, "Although there has been a recent sudden increase after eight weeks of stagnation, leading to interpretations that we may have entered the fourth wave, there was also an increase in cases right after the Lunar New Year holiday. From the CDSCH's perspective, the third wave is still ongoing."

Yoon stated, "Looking at last week's confirmed cases, there was an increase of 57 compared to the previous week, with cases rising in Gyeongnam and Gangwon regions as well," and added, "Since cluster infections have led to the overall increase in confirmed cases, it is necessary to observe what happens once cluster infections are controlled." He further noted, "We have been working hard to reduce the stagnation over the past eight weeks and are preparing quarantine measures with heightened vigilance."

As of midnight on the day, the number of new domestic COVID-19 cases increased by 382 compared to the previous day. By infection route, 370 were locally transmitted and 12 were imported cases. Among the local cases, Seoul (112), Gyeonggi (161), and Incheon (18) account for a proportion well over 70% in the metropolitan area.

Accordingly, the quarantine authorities plan to prepare and announce special measures for the metropolitan area on the 16th. Son Young-rae, head of the CDSCH Social Strategy Division, said, "Starting today, for two weeks, we are conducting intensive inspections of multi-use facilities and high-risk facilities jointly with local governments under the jurisdiction of each ministry," adding, "Tomorrow, we will hold an expanded special metropolitan meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters including basic local governments in Seoul and Gyeonggi, where we will thoroughly prepare and decide on strengthening quarantine measures centered on local governments in the metropolitan area."

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