One Week of Level 4 Social Distancing in the Seoul Metropolitan Area... This Week Will 'Decide' the Effectiveness of Quarantine Measures

New COVID-19 Cases Stay in the 1,000s for 13 Days
Balloon Effect Realized in Non-Capital Areas
Confirmed Cases Among Minnochoong Rally Attendees
Experts Say "Low Chance of Decline in Spread"

On the 19th, citizens are waiting in line for diagnostic testing at the temporary COVID-19 screening site in front of Seoul City Hall Plaza. According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters, as of midnight that day, the number of new confirmed cases increased by 1,252. This is the highest number recorded based on cases occurring on a Sunday (as of Monday midnight). Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] South Korea's domestic COVID-19 '4th wave' is reaching a turning point this week. The daily number of new confirmed cases has remained in the 1,000s for over ten days, and it has been a week since social distancing level 4 was applied in the metropolitan area, tightening quarantine measures. However, with the balloon effect spreading to non-metropolitan areas and confirmed cases emerging among participants of the previous Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) rally in downtown Seoul, the outlook remains pessimistic.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters on the 19th, as of midnight, there were 1,252 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, marking the 13th consecutive day of four-digit figures. This surpassed the previous Sunday record of 1,100 cases on the 12th by a week. Among the 1,208 locally transmitted cases, 413 were in Seoul, 336 in Gyeonggi, and 62 in Incheon, totaling 811 cases in the metropolitan area. In non-metropolitan areas, double-digit cases were reported in all regions except Sejong and Chungbuk.

This week is expected to be a test to determine whether the 4th wave will prolong. Authorities believe it takes at least a week for the effects of quarantine measures to become visible. It has been two weeks since the government mandated mask-wearing in the metropolitan area and banned outdoor drinking after 10 p.m. in response to the spread of COVID-19. Additionally, the highest level of social distancing, level 4, has been in effect for a week.

Given the current epidemic situation, it is unlikely that the spread will significantly subside this week. While the metropolitan area's spread remains stagnant, the balloon effect is materializing in non-metropolitan areas. Double-digit confirmed cases are emerging in non-metropolitan regions as well. Daejeon, where a cluster infection occurred at a Taekwondo academy, reported 83 new cases; Gyeongnam 69, Busan 63, Chungnam 33, and Daegu 31 cases continue to emerge. The proportion of confirmed cases outside the metropolitan area has risen to 32.9% of the total.

The government has decided to limit private gatherings to four people across all non-metropolitan areas for two weeks from today until the 1st of next month. However, due to the already intense spread, it is expected that quarantine measures will require time to take effect. Son Young-rae, head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, stated, "The epidemic in non-metropolitan areas is clearly shifting to an increasing trend," adding, "All non-metropolitan regions except Honam and Gyeongbuk are showing levels above stage 2, and local governments are adjusting social distancing levels accordingly." Popular vacation spots Jeju and Gangneung have implemented levels 3 and 4 respectively from today, and Daejeon is considering measures equivalent to level 4.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Concerns are growing as three people who participated in the KCTU rally held in the Jongno-gu area of Seoul on the 3rd tested positive. Approximately 8,000 people were estimated to have gathered at the rally. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency is investigating the possibility of infection through the rally, considering that symptoms appeared within the maximum incubation period of 14 days. An administrative order has been issued requiring all attendees to undergo diagnostic testing. Additionally, with over 80% of the approximately 300 crew members of the Cheonghae Unit infected, overseas imported cases are expected to surge this week.

Accordingly, there is growing support for extending the level 4 measures applied in the metropolitan area for another week. Professor Cheon Eun-mi of the Department of Respiratory Medicine at Ewha Mokdong Hospital said, "Since quarantine measures were not simultaneously strengthened in non-metropolitan areas at the early stage of the outbreak, it is difficult to expect quarantine effects to appear in the short term now that both metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas are experiencing spread," adding, "Although gatherings are being restrained, infections in daily spaces such as workplaces are not being blocked, so this week we expect 1,700 to 1,800 confirmed cases, and next week the number will approach 2,000."

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