Prime Minister Kim: "Switching Quarantine Strategy? Now Is Not the Time... Focus on 4th Wave Measures"

COVID-19 Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters Meeting

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum is presiding over the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting on COVID-19 response at the Government Seoul Office on the afternoon of August 15, Liberation Day.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Son Seon-hee] Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum said on the 15th, "Some experts are saying 'Isn't it time to change the quarantine strategy now?' but the government's judgment is that now is not the time."

On the same day, Prime Minister Kim presided over the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting for COVID-19 at the Government Seoul Office and said, "If quarantine is neglected, confirmed cases will rapidly increase, and it will inevitably place a heavy burden on the current medical response system," adding, "For now, the priority is to swiftly promote vaccination and focus on quarantine measures to overcome the current fourth wave."

However, he noted, "There are many criticisms that quarantine measures are not properly functioning on the ground due to accumulated fatigue," and urged the quarantine authorities, "Please carefully review whether there are any unreasonable points or aspects that lack acceptance on the ground based on the past quarantine situation." He added, "I think it is time to start considering a long-term response strategy on this occasion."

Meanwhile, despite the daily new confirmed cases hovering around 2,000, concerns are rising again about increased movement during the Liberation Day holiday. Prime Minister Kim requested, "Please cooperate a little more for everyone during the remaining holiday," asking people to refrain from gatherings. He also urged people to undergo proactive COVID testing before returning to work after the holiday.

Furthermore, he warned, "Despite repeated government warnings, some groups are forcibly holding illegal assemblies," and stated, "The government will hold clear responsibility according to the zero-tolerance principle for any acts that threaten the safety of the community."

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