Current 'Social Distancing' Extended for 2 More Weeks

Ban on Private Gatherings of Five or More Maintained

Prime Minister Jeong Sye-gyun and Minister of Health Kwon Deok-cheol Receive AstraZeneca Vaccine Today

Social distancing stickers are attached at the entrance of the temporary COVID-19 screening clinic set up at Seoul Station Plaza.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] The current social distancing measures, which were scheduled to end on the 28th, will be extended for two more weeks until the 11th of next month. Key quarantine rules, such as the ban on private gatherings of five or more people, will also be maintained.

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun announced at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting on the morning of the 26th, "The government will maintain the current social distancing levels (Level 2 in the metropolitan area, Level 1.5 in non-metropolitan areas) and the ban on gatherings of five or more people for two weeks starting next week."

This measure reflects the government's concern that as the third wave of the pandemic has prolonged for several months and spring approaches, citizens' vigilance may ease, raising fears of a fourth wave. Additionally, with the spread of variant viruses, it is difficult for the government to ease quarantine measures easily.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency's Central Disease Control Headquarters reported that as of midnight on the same day, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases increased by 494 from the previous day to 100,770. This is the highest number in 35 days since March 19, approaching 500 cases.

The sources of new confirmed cases were 471 from local transmission and 23 from overseas inflow. In particular, the weekly daily average of locally transmitted cases as of the 26th reached 414. This meets the nationwide Level 2.5 escalation criteria, which is an average of 400 to 500 or more cases nationwide per day.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Chung and Health and Welfare Minister Kwon Deok-cheol will receive the AstraZeneca vaccine at the Jongno-gu Public Health Center in Seoul in the afternoon. Prime Minister Chung said in a briefing the day before, "I hope more eligible people will get vaccinated," adding, "After careful consideration, we decided to proceed with vaccination to give the public the impression that 'getting vaccinated is beneficial and not highly risky.'"

Earlier, on the 23rd, President Moon Jae-in received the AstraZeneca vaccine. Authorities are also reportedly seeking ways to dispel public doubts by having key figures, including Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency Director Jeong Eun-kyeong, receive vaccinations.

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