Tomorrow's Announcement on Metropolitan Area Social Distancing Adjustment... Emphasis on Extending Level 4 (Update)

Final Decision at Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters Meeting on the Morning of the 23rd
Interest Also in Whether to Adjust Social Distancing in Non-Capital Areas

On the 21st, when 1,784 new COVID-19 cases were reported, marking the highest record in a week, citizens visiting the temporary screening clinic set up near the Express Bus Terminal in Seocho-gu, Seoul, are waiting to get tested. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] The government will announce tomorrow (the 23rd) whether to extend the Level 4 social distancing measures in the Seoul metropolitan area, which are set to take effect from the 26th. As the spread of COVID-19 in the metropolitan area has not yet slowed, it is widely expected that easing the distancing measures immediately will be difficult, drawing attention to whether adjustments will also be made for non-metropolitan areas.

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters disclosed the schedule for a meeting chaired by Jeon Hae-cheol, the 2nd Deputy Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety), on the 23rd, stating, "We plan to discuss adjustments to social distancing in the metropolitan area after the 26th and announce the results." Through the regular briefing held by the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters on the morning of the 23rd, they plan to report on the decision regarding the extension of Level 4 social distancing in the metropolitan area and the current status of COVID-19 response.

Currently, Level 4 social distancing has been applied in the metropolitan area for two weeks since the 12th. Level 4 is the highest level in the newly revised distancing system introduced this month, including strong quarantine measures such as allowing private gatherings of only up to two people after 6 p.m.

Initially, the government intended to curb the spread quickly and decisively by applying the highest level of quarantine measures in the metropolitan area for two weeks, but even as the end of this period approaches, the outbreak has not been contained. As of midnight today, the number of new domestic COVID-19 cases reached a record high of 1,842. This broke the previous record of 1,784 cases set just a day earlier.

Unlike the early days when confirmed cases were concentrated in the metropolitan area, the nationwide spread of the outbreak is also a concern. Among the new domestic cases today, 546 were from non-metropolitan areas, maintaining the 500s for two consecutive days following 550 cases the previous day. The proportion of cases from non-metropolitan areas reached 35.6%, the highest since the 4th wave of the pandemic. Accordingly, a plan to uniformly apply Level 3 social distancing in non-metropolitan areas is also being considered.

Son Young-rae, head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, said during a back briefing with reporters today, "At the Living Quarantine Committee, an advisory body on distancing policies held yesterday, many opinions were expressed that it is generally difficult to ease the currently applied distancing measures," adding, "We are continuously monitoring the situation this week."

Background Taek, Director General of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, also expressed concern, saying, "Our country is currently in the midst of the 4th wave," and "Significant infection spread has been confirmed in non-metropolitan areas as well. Cluster infections across daily life settings such as restaurants, entertainment facilities, and workplaces are still ongoing." He also emphasized, "The most important thing in the current situation is strong and unified social distancing."

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