Starting Tomorrow, Vaccinated Individuals Allowed 'No Mask Outdoors' but Confirmed Cases Near 800... Still Uneasy

New Social Distancing D-1
Private gatherings allowed up to 6-8 people
Restaurants and cafes open until midnight

794 new cases yesterday
Seoul 368 cases... Capital area 83%
20s age group surged over 20% compared to last week
Government deliberates on 'No Mask' rollback

A new "social distancing" measure for COVID-19 prevention is scheduled to be implemented from July 1. On the 29th, a notice stating that gatherings of up to six people will be allowed from July 1 is posted at the entrance of a restaurant in Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy reporters Seo So-jeong and Lee Chun-hee] As the new social distancing measures take effect on the 1st of next month, the government is on high alert as domestic COVID-19 cases approach the 800 mark. Cases in the densely populated Seoul metropolitan area accounted for 83% of new infections. The government is considering adjusting the distancing levels if cases continue to rise and is also contemplating withdrawing the 'outdoor no-mask policy for first-dose vaccine recipients.'

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters, as of midnight on the 30th, there were 794 new domestic COVID-19 cases, the highest since April 23 when there were 797 cases. In particular, locally transmitted cases continue to increase. The average daily number of locally transmitted cases over the past week (24th?30th) was 592.9, nearing the 600 mark. This is also the highest figure in 41 days since May 20 (617.3 cases).

The rapid increase in cases among the active but not yet vaccinated young population in their 20s and 30s is raising concerns about further spread. In the past week, 956 cases were reported among people in their 20s, accounting for 21.6% of the total 4,416 cases, the highest among all age groups. Those in their 30s accounted for 776 cases, or 17.6%. In contrast, those in their 50s accounted for 731 cases (16.6%), and those aged 60 and above only 481 cases (10.9%). The number of cases per 100,000 population was 14.1 for people in their 20s and 11.2 for those in their 30s, both exceeding 10 cases per 100,000.

Kwon Deok-cheol, 1st Deputy Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Minister of Health and Welfare), stated, "The number of domestic cases is in the mid-700s, which is a very serious situation," adding, "Of the total new cases, about 600 in the mid-600s, or 83%, occurred in the Seoul metropolitan area, with Seoul alone recording over 300 cases, which is very concerning."

Seoul Reports 368 New Cases, Highest This Year... Exceeds Criteria for Level 3 Elevation

On this day, Seoul reported 368 new cases, the highest this year. The weekly average number of cases was 252.1, far exceeding the new social distancing level 3 elevation criterion of 195. Deputy Head Kwon pointed out, "In the Seoul metropolitan area, cases among people in their 20s exceeded 500 in the past week," noting, "This is a more than 20% increase compared to the previous week."

This trend is the opposite of previous waves. In the first to third waves, people in their 50s and 60s accounted for a much larger proportion of cases than those in their 20s and 30s. As of this day, cases in the Seoul metropolitan area totaled 631, with 368 in Seoul, 234 in Gyeonggi, and 29 in Incheon, accounting for 83.1%. The weekly average number of cases in the metropolitan area was 464.9, approaching the level 3 elevation criterion of 500.

With the new distancing system set to be implemented from the 1st of next month, health authorities are on high alert. Even those who have only received the first vaccine dose will be allowed to remove masks outdoors, and the number of private gatherings in the metropolitan area will gradually increase to 6?8 people. Entertainment venues in the metropolitan area will reopen, and operating hours for restaurants, cafes, and other multi-use facilities will be extended until midnight.

On the 28th, when the number of COVID-19 confirmed cases dropped below 600 for the first time in six days, citizens visiting the temporary screening clinic set up at Seoul Station Plaza are getting tested. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

Need to Adjust Pace of Easing Measures... "Mask Removal Should Be the Last Resort"

Experts have pointed out the need to adjust the speed and intensity of easing measures amid the growing threat of the more transmissible Delta variant. Professor Jung Jae-hoon of Gachon University College of Medicine’s Department of Preventive Medicine said, "Applying multiple easing policies all at once in a package could further spread infections," adding, "It is better to implement measures such as extending business hours, increasing private gathering limits, and allowing outdoor no-mask policies step-by-step, and to delay the timing of mask removal as much as possible."

Authorities are deeply concerned as cases rise again ahead of the new distancing measures. Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum said the day before, "Even those who have received the first vaccine dose may be required to wear masks if variants spread." Deputy Head Kwon also stated, "If the number of cases increases to meet the criteria for raising the level, we plan to promptly adjust distancing levels to reduce infection risks," urging, "Given the serious situation with rising cases in the metropolitan area, workplaces and businesses should refrain from gatherings and dinners for the time being."

Regarding concerns about easing measures, Yoon Tae-ho, head of the Central Accident Response Headquarters’ quarantine team, said, "If the number of patients increases during the implementation period of the new distancing measures, we may need to consider extending the implementation period," adding, "However, since the new distancing measures will be applied starting tomorrow, we will monitor the situation during the implementation period and special quarantine measures in the metropolitan area to make decisions accordingly."

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