Social Distancing Adjustment Plan to be Announced on the 21st... "Jeonnam Restructuring Pilot Project is Operating Stably"

The social distancing sticker at the COVID-19 Jung-gu temporary screening clinic set up in Seoul Station Plaza has been torn off. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] On the 21st, the government will announce the adjustment plan for the 'social distancing' levels.

Son Young-rae, head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, stated during the COVID-19 Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters back briefing on the 18th, “We are discussing the adjustment plan for social distancing with the goal of Friday (21st).” The current social distancing levels of Level 2 in the metropolitan area and Level 1.5 in non-metropolitan areas are set to be announced by the deadline of the 23rd.

However, since the government views the current COVID-19 spread as neither decreasing nor increasing but rather stagnant, it is expected that the current social distancing levels and key quarantine measures such as the 'ban on private gatherings of five or more people' will be maintained.

The authorities evaluated that the new social distancing reform pilot project underway in the Jeonnam region is "being operated stably." Currently, in Jeonnam, private gatherings of up to six people are allowed except in Level 2 areas and entertainment facilities. However, despite the recent surge in cluster infections related to entertainment establishments in Yeosu City and nightclubs in Suncheon, with the number of confirmed cases in Jeonnam region recording double digits daily since the 2nd, the authorities believe the situation is being managed to some extent.

Yoon Tae-ho, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters’ quarantine division, explained, “Except for four eastern areas of Jeonnam, there is no observed increase in patient numbers in the Jeonnam region,” adding, “The basic assessment in Jeonnam is that confirmed cases in these areas have not yet caused transmission to other regions or led to an increase in confirmed cases.”

Yoon added, “When a pilot project is conducted, it can be perceived as a relaxation of quarantine measures,” but he also noted, “In Jeonnam, on the contrary, inspections of quarantine sites have been strengthened, and various associations and local governments are working together to make efforts in quarantine.”

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