Kwon Deok-cheol: "Highest Daily Average Cases in Seoul Metropolitan Area... Please Plan a Safe Holiday Following Quarantine Rules"

Kwon Deok-cheol, First Deputy Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Minister of Health and Welfare), is speaking while presiding over the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting on COVID-19 response held at the Government Seoul Office Building on the 12th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] As the daily average number of COVID-19 cases in the Seoul metropolitan area continues to hit record highs, indicating that the spread of the 4th wave is not subsiding, health authorities have once again urged the public to observe quarantine rules during the Chuseok holiday.

Kwon Deok-cheol, First Deputy Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Minister of Health and Welfare), stated in his opening remarks at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting on the 12th, "While non-metropolitan areas have entered a relatively stable phase, the metropolitan area remains in a crisis situation," adding, "Last week, the daily average number of confirmed cases in the metropolitan area was 1,234 (as of midnight on the 11th), marking yet another record high and continuing to rise." The weekly daily average number of confirmed cases in the metropolitan area rose to 1,268.1 as of midnight on the 12th, continuously setting new records.

Deputy Head Kwon further expressed concern, saying, "With the Chuseok holiday just a week away, there is a tense situation where the holiday could become an opportunity for infections to spread again from the metropolitan area to non-metropolitan areas."

Health authorities will implement special quarantine measures for Chuseok starting from the 13th. Temporary screening clinics will be operated at major train stations, bus terminals, and highway rest areas in preparation for the holiday.

Quarantine easing measures considering the holiday will also be implemented. Regardless of the social distancing level by region, visits and contact meetings will be allowed at nursing hospitals and facilities nationwide for two weeks starting from the 13th. However, this is only permitted if both the hospitalized/residents and visitors have completed their COVID-19 vaccinations and at least two weeks have passed since completion. For unvaccinated individuals, those who have received only the first dose, or those who have not yet passed two weeks after completing vaccination, only non-contact visits are allowed.

Additionally, in regions at level 4 social distancing, where gatherings of up to 8 people including at least 4 fully vaccinated individuals are currently not allowed, temporary permission for 8-person gatherings will be granted starting from the 17th. However, this is limited to private home gatherings only, and use of multi-use facilities remains prohibited. Deputy Head Kwon emphasized, "While it is unavoidable to share affection among family members during the holiday, we ask for broad understanding that these safety measures are necessary to suppress the spread of COVID-19," and urged, "Despite the inconvenience, please plan a safe holiday by adhering to quarantine rules."

He added, "The government will steadily pursue the goal of achieving 70% first-dose vaccination coverage before the Chuseok holiday and 70% full vaccination coverage by October," and stated, "To stabilize the 4th wave and move toward a phased recovery of daily life, we will devote all efforts to vaccination, quarantine inspections, proactive testing, and medical support."

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