Metropolitan Area Social Distancing Level 4? ... Announcement Possible as Early as Tomorrow

Ministry of Health and Welfare "No Decision Made on Announcement"

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, on the 8th, when the number of new confirmed cases reached a record high, citizens were waiting to get tested at the Seoul City Mobile Screening Clinic set up near Exit 11 of Gangnam Station in Seoul. The Central Disease Control Headquarters announced that as of midnight on the same day, 1,275 new confirmed cases were added, bringing the total to 164,028. Following the previous day's 1,212 cases, the number has remained in the 1,200s for two consecutive days. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] The government is currently discussing applying Level 4, the highest stage of the new social distancing system, to the Seoul metropolitan area where the spread of COVID-19 has recently surged sharply. It is expected that an announcement could be made as early as tomorrow (the 9th).

The government is reviewing quarantine measures for the metropolitan area through channels such as the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) and the Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH). Currently, discussions are ongoing with several possibilities open, including maintaining the existing Level 2 distancing system, applying the new Level 3, or upgrading to the new Level 4.

Meanwhile, on the 8th, a rumor circulated stating, "From July 12 to 25, private gatherings in the metropolitan area are allowed up to 4 people before 6 p.m. and up to 2 people after 6 p.m. Vaccinated individuals are not exempt from counting (no exceptions to private gathering limits)." Regarding this, the Ministry of Health and Welfare responded, "No decision has been made yet, and we will provide guidance promptly once a decision is reached."

However, earlier that day, Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum said in a radio interview, "We are monitoring the COVID-19 situation hourly, and if it is judged to be absolutely necessary, we have no choice but to raise the level," adding, "It could be discussed at the CDSCH meeting held on Sunday."

As of midnight that day, the number of new COVID-19 cases reached 1,275, marking the highest ever since the first domestic case was reported in January last year. Among these, 994 cases were from the metropolitan area, accounting for 81% of the nationwide cases. The average daily local cases in the metropolitan area over the past week were about 692, which meets the Level 3 criterion (500 or more) but has not yet reached the Level 4 criterion (1,000 or more).

However, the spread in Seoul is even more severe. The weekly average daily confirmed cases stand at 387, already close to the Level 4 threshold (389 or more). Accordingly, it is expected that Seoul will enter Level 4 on the following day, the 9th. In fact, from midnight to 6 p.m. on that day, the number of new COVID-19 cases in Seoul was counted at 430, and the number of new cases announced at midnight on the 9th is expected to remain in the 500s for the third consecutive day.

Meanwhile, if Level 4 distancing is applied, gatherings of up to 4 people are allowed only before 6 p.m., and only 2 people can meet after that time. Restaurants, cafes, karaoke rooms, movie theaters, stores, marts, and department stores will all close by 10 p.m. Clubs and emotional pubs will be subject to closure orders. All assemblies and events except for solo protests will be completely banned.

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