President Moon: "We will end Level 4 social distancing 'short and intense'... Let's endure a little longer" (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] President Moon Jae-in emphasized the important role of local government heads, stating that if the Level 4 social distancing measures are ended "short and intense," economic damage can be minimized. While accelerating vaccine administration, he urged the public to "endure a little longer" and maintain a mature awareness of quarantine.

On the 12th, presiding over the special COVID-19 response meeting for the metropolitan area, President Moon said, "If we end the Level 4 social distancing measures 'short and intense' and link it to expanded vaccine administration, we will surely be able to turn the situation around."

President Moon described Level 4 social distancing as "the highest intensity measure possible without a lockdown, designed to raise vigilance to the highest level and resolve the situation early with a 'short and intense' approach," adding, "if we can end it 'short and intense,' it will be a shortcut to hastening the return to daily life and minimizing economic damage."

To curb the current spread, President Moon stressed the need to maximize the strengths of K-quarantine, which includes diagnostic testing, epidemiological investigation, and isolation treatment, saying, "The government will work with metropolitan local governments to mobilize all available resources to conduct large-scale diagnostic testing and thorough epidemiological investigations, thereby establishing a more meticulous quarantine network." He also added that it is necessary to promptly expand residential treatment centers, which may temporarily become insufficient.

The meeting was attended by local government heads including Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung, and Incheon Mayor Park Nam-chun. President Moon said, "The mayors and governors here today are the command centers for quarantine in the metropolitan area," emphasizing, "The role of local governments is absolutely crucial in frontline quarantine efforts such as diagnostic testing, epidemiological investigations, inspections of vulnerable facilities, and expansion of residential treatment centers."

President Moon stated, "The government will do its best to utilize the incoming vaccine supplies as efficiently as possible to advance the vaccination schedule," and announced, "Vaccines brought in through a swap with Israel will be prioritized starting tomorrow for bus, taxi, and delivery drivers who have frequent contact with the public, as well as education and childcare workers in Seoul and Gyeonggi areas."

He also called for mature civic awareness for the success of K-quarantine. President Moon said, "'With the mindset of 'pausing briefly,' please refrain from movement and gatherings as much as possible, and strictly adhere to quarantine rules such as wearing masks," adding, "To prevent a balloon effect, I ask that vacation periods be used as dispersed as possible."

President Moon expressed deep regret for having to ask the public to endure a little longer, saying, "I cannot help but feel very sorry to ask for more patience," but assured, "Losses due to business restrictions on small business owners and self-employed individuals will be compensated as much as possible through the Loss Compensation Act and supplementary budgets to alleviate difficulties."

He concluded, "As we have done well so far, if the government, local governments, and the people unite, we can overcome this," and said, "The government, together with local governments, will work with full force to quickly end the current spread and Level 4 measures, and revive hope for the recovery of daily life and livelihoods."

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