Around 2,000 Cases for Two Days... Government Considers 'Plus Alpha' Quarantine Measures

As Nationwide COVID-19 Cases Surge, Limits of Current Social Distancing Pointed Out
Experts Urge Immediate Enforcement of Multi-Use Facility Gathering Bans

On the 12th, as 1,987 new COVID-19 cases were reported and nationwide spread continued, the number of COVID-19 confirmed cases was displayed on the electronic board set up in the 24-hour Integrated Safety Situation Room at Songpa District Office in Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporters Jihee Kim and Sunhee Son] As the number of domestic COVID-19 confirmed cases remained around 2,000 for the second consecutive day, quarantine authorities have begun preparing additional preventive measures.

It has been confirmed that the current level of social distancing cannot control the recent outbreak, which has been exacerbated by the Delta variant. This means that authorities intend to identify and address any shortcomings in the current quarantine measures once again. Experts unanimously agree that before it is too late, at least ‘+α (plus alpha)’ quarantine measures, such as banning gatherings in multi-use facilities, should be introduced.

With unprecedented numbers of patients emerging nationwide day after day, quarantine authorities have acknowledged the limitations of the current distancing measures. Park Young-jun, head of the epidemiological investigation team at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, stated, "We believe it will be difficult to curb the spread with the current quarantine measures," adding, "It will not be easy to enter a declining phase in a short period."

The authorities are reviewing whether additional quarantine measures need to be implemented, but aside from existing methods such as social distancing, campaigns to improve compliance with personal quarantine rules, and the ‘3T’ strategy focusing on testing, tracing, and treatment, no suitable new weapons have been proposed. Park said, "We are reviewing all areas where even slight improvements are needed," and added, "We are discussing ways to increase public participation, including social distancing, and raising the vaccination priority for vulnerable groups."

However, with three out of four infected individuals carrying the Delta variant, there are concerns that existing quarantine systems like social distancing and the 3T strategy are no longer effective. Since the transmissibility of Delta is 2.5 times that of the original COVID-19 virus, relying on epidemiological investigations to prevent further spread has limitations in controlling the outbreak. Moreover, with the number of new confirmed cases rising to around 2,000 per day, it is becoming increasingly difficult to trace each infection route.

On the 12th, as 1,987 new COVID-19 cases were reported and nationwide spread continued, citizens visiting the screening clinic set up at the Songpa-gu Public Health Center in Seoul were waiting to get tested. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

Meanwhile, local governments have also started preparing countermeasures. In Seoul, discussions are underway regarding additional reductions in public transportation and restrictions on the operations of large stores such as department stores and marts. Despite a month of intensive quarantine measures, the surge in confirmed cases has deepened the government's concerns. Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum convened an unscheduled emergency meeting with quarantine experts at the Government Seoul Office in the morning, expressing, "There are many criticisms that the current (quarantine) methods have reached their limits," and added, "Since the Delta variant, there have been global questions about whether the current (quarantine) framework is appropriate," revealing his concerns.

Experts advise tightening quarantine measures as much as possible, even if economic damage is inevitable, accompanied by sufficient compensation. Professor Kim Woo-joo of the Infectious Diseases Department at Korea University Guro Hospital said, "The government keeps saying it will manage both quarantine and the economy, but in reality, it has failed at both," and insisted, "Compensation should be guaranteed, but even if only for a short time, banning gatherings in multi-use facilities is necessary to reduce the spread." Professor Chun Eun-mi of the Respiratory Medicine Department at Ewha Mokdong Hospital also said, "For cafes and restaurants, operating hours should be limited or only delivery allowed, and support should be provided so that businesses can close if they wish," warning, "If we do not act immediately, the number of confirmed cases will continue to rise like in Israel, the UK, and the US."

However, repeated ‘plus alpha’ measures have raised concerns about causing confusion in quarantine efforts. The government already regularized some measures that were temporarily applied during the fourth wave on the one-month anniversary of the social distancing revision on the 6th. Professor Eom Jung-sik of the Infectious Diseases Department at Gachon University Gil Medical Center pointed out, "Guidelines created by repeatedly adding ‘plus alpha’ to existing distancing measures become patchworks," and added, "Currently, transmission is widespread across various locations, so the problem cannot be solved by locally adjusting specific regions, places, or situations."

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