Rapid Increase in Confirmed Cases and Delta Variant Concerns... Authorities Say "Social Distancing Restructuring Will Proceed as Scheduled"

Citizens who visited the screening clinic set up at Songpa-gu Office in Seoul on the 23rd are waiting to get tested. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] As the number of new domestic COVID-19 cases has remained in the 600s for two consecutive days, global warnings about the Delta variant (Indian variant) are emerging. Concerns are also rising regarding the upcoming revised social distancing measures scheduled for next week, but our health authorities have stated that they will proceed with the revision plan as previously announced.

On the 24th, Son Young-rae, head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, said during a COVID-19 briefing, "We judge that the necessity to continue the high social and economic costs and the accumulating damage to the middle class, self-employed, and small business owners by postponing the social distancing system revision has decreased."

Regarding concerns about the domestic spread of the Delta variant, Son said, "As the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency has also stated, most of the detected variants are the Alpha variant (UK variant), and the Delta variant accounts for only about 10% of those," adding, "Currently, the domestic share of the Delta variant is not at a level of concern."

He also emphasized that the Delta variant itself does not pose a significant risk, stating, "While its infectivity and fatality rate are slightly higher than previous variants, the effectiveness of vaccination and the possibility of containment are similar to those of the Alpha variant and other variants, according to current analyses."

Yoon Tae-ho, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters’ quarantine division, also said, "We need to look at this comprehensively," and explained, "Since each province is conducting surveys on the transition period, we will provide guidance on this on Sunday (the 27th)."

On the afternoon of the 18th, when private gatherings of up to 8 people became possible in Gwangju, public officials from Buk-gu Office in Gwangju gathered for a meal at a restaurant near Buk-gu Office to revitalize the local commercial district. They stepped out of the office cafeteria and toasted with drinks while dining together for the first time in a long while.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

The health authorities also plan to maintain various incentive measures such as quarantine exemptions for vaccinated individuals. Yoon said, "We are not yet at the stage of reviewing adjustments to incentives," adding, "There are no major changes related to this, and we will monitor the situation further before considering any adjustments."

Regarding concerns about quarantine exemptions for overseas vaccinated individuals amid the spread of the Delta variant, he said, "Based on risk assessments of foreign countries, self-quarantine exemptions are being granted for purposes such as visiting immediate family members," and added, "It is necessary to evaluate whether there are significant reasons for changes," emphasizing, "the Central Disease Control Headquarters should first conduct risk assessments of major overseas countries," expressing a cautious stance.

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