Warning of the 4th Major Wave, Social Distancing Level 2.5 at the Threshold

Confirmed Cases Near 500
Strengthened Basic Quarantine Rules Starting Today
No Eating Outside Restaurants and Cafes
All Visitors Must Fill Out Entry Log
"Social Distancing Adjusted Weekly Based on Situation"

[Asia Economy Reporters Seo So-jeong and Kim Ji-hee] Despite a decrease in diagnostic testing over the weekend, the number of domestic COVID-19 confirmed cases is approaching the 500 mark, prompting health authorities to consider strengthening ‘social distancing’ measures. Although the current social distancing levels (Level 2 in the metropolitan area, Level 1.5 in non-metropolitan areas) have been extended until the 11th, the growing warning signs of a ‘4th wave’ have increased the need for stricter quarantine measures.

7 Consecutive Days of 400-500 Cases... Emergency Due to Sharp Increase in Non-Metropolitan Areas

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters, even on the 5th, reflecting the weekend effect, the number of new COVID-19 cases recorded at midnight was 473. Health authorities, who had previously described the COVID-19 situation as a ‘plateau phase of the 3rd wave,’ are now issuing warning messages daily by referring to the ‘4th wave.’

Jeon Hae-cheol, the 2nd Deputy Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH), expressed concern at the CDSCH meeting that day, saying, "We have seen 400 to 500 cases for 7 consecutive days," and "The pattern of infection spread is changing compared to before." He added, "Starting today, enhanced basic quarantine rules will be implemented for multi-use facilities, and for two weeks, police and local governments will conduct joint intensive on-site inspections of entertainment establishments. We will strictly apply a zero-tolerance policy for violations, including closure orders and fines."

Experts analyzed that the sharp increase in confirmed cases in non-metropolitan areas likely indicates significant community transmission. The weekly average of domestic cases, a key indicator for adjusting social distancing levels, has already met the criteria for Level 2.5 (nationwide 400-500 cases or more), and recently, large-scale cluster infections in non-metropolitan areas have caused rapid spread. The proportion of new cases in non-metropolitan areas, which was 20% before the special metropolitan quarantine measures were implemented on the 15th of last month, has now approached 40%, showing a nationwide trend.

Religious-related infections are also a concern. According to health authorities the previous day, 71 confirmed cases were identified at a church that held nationwide touring meetings with sister churches in various regions. Cases simultaneously occurred in eight regions including Seoul, Daejeon, Gwangju, Gyeonggi-do, Chungnam, Gyeongbuk, Jeonbuk, and Jeonnam. The nationwide Easter services held over the weekend may also act as a future ignition point.

Infections in multi-use facilities such as entertainment bars, karaoke rooms, and indoor sports facilities are also a hidden threat. In Busan, 33 additional confirmed cases were identified during contact tracing related to entertainment bars, bringing the total confirmed cases to 233. Alarmed by the surge, Busan, Geoje, and Jinju have already raised their social distancing levels to Level 2.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Strengthened Closure and Operation Restrictions for Industries with Many Cases... Zero-Tolerance Policy

Health authorities plan to emphasize the crisis situation while implementing strengthened closure and operation restriction measures for industries with many confirmed cases to curb the spread. From today, the enhanced ‘basic quarantine rules’ applied to all managers, workers, and users of multi-use facilities will become mandatory after a one-week grace period.

The basic quarantine rules add three new measures?prohibition of eating, restriction of entry for symptomatic individuals, and designation of quarantine managers?to the existing four rules: mask-wearing, posting and guidance of quarantine rules, visitor log management, and regular disinfection and ventilation.

Violations of the basic quarantine rules will result in fines of up to 3 million KRW for business owners and up to 100,000 KRW for users. Eating is prohibited except in restaurants, cafes, and food sales ancillary facilities, and all visitors must fill out the visitor log.

Son Young-rae, head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Accident Response Headquarters, said at a briefing the previous day, "We will monitor the situation further and decide how to adjust social distancing levels starting next week."

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