Seoul City and 25 Districts Postpone '8-Person Gathering Permission' by One Week... "Reconsideration Based on Case Trends"

Oh Se-hoon Holds Emergency Special Quarantine Measures Meeting with 25 District Mayors

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon stated that the plan to allow 'gatherings of 8 people,' set to be implemented from the 15th of next month following the revision of social distancing measures, may be reconsidered due to the recent increase in new COVID-19 cases.

On the 30th, Mayor Oh held an emergency special quarantine measures meeting via video conference with the heads of 25 district offices and announced this. According to the new social distancing plan starting from the 1st of next month, if level 2 social distancing is applied in the metropolitan area, a two-week transition period will be set, allowing gatherings of up to 6 people until the 14th, after which it was planned to expand to 8 people.

At the meeting, Mayor Oh said, "In Seoul's case, we will observe the trend for about a week, and if the number of confirmed cases does not decrease, we must reconsider that part in advance." Recently, with the number of confirmed cases increasing mainly in the metropolitan area, Seoul's daily new COVID-19 cases surged to 375 the previous day. He added, "A strong warning has sounded just before the revision of the social distancing system," calling it a "very serious crisis situation."

Accordingly, he urged for more thorough quarantine measures. Mayor Oh said, "Although Israel was a leading country in vaccination, the recent reintroduction of mandatory indoor mask-wearing due to COVID-19 resurgence carries significant implications," adding, "The Delta variant, which is spreading worldwide, is also an important variable, so everyone should not lower their vigilance and must strictly adhere to daily quarantine measures."

Mayor Oh emphasized, "In some parts of Seoul where confirmed cases are concentrated, it is necessary to establish a more thorough quarantine system in cooperation with the district offices. Citizens' cooperation is crucial for 'coexistence quarantine' that protects both the local economy and everyone's safety and health."

Lee Dong-jin, chairman of the Seoul Council of District Heads (Dobong-gu), who attended the countermeasure meeting, also mentioned proactive responses to the recent spread. He proposed, "Let us strengthen the cooperation system between the city and districts and prepare joint response measures."

At the meeting, Mayor Oh and the district heads discussed plans to secure additional dedicated hospital beds and residential treatment centers, as well as preemptive testing and strengthening quarantine rules to detect hidden infections.

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