Government: "With-Corona Policy to Be Reviewed After 70% Vaccination Completion... Decision Based on Comprehensive Assessment of Quarantine Situation"

"Chuseok Impact Expected to Appear Next Week... Focus on Metropolitan Area Spread and Non-Metropolitan Resurgence"

On the 23rd, when 1,716 new COVID-19 cases were reported, maintaining the daily count in the 1,700s for three consecutive days, citizens waiting to get tested are seen at a temporary screening clinic set up at Seoul Station Plaza. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] The government has reaffirmed its position to consider a phased return to normal life after achieving a 70% full COVID-19 vaccination rate nationwide. However, it stated that even upon reaching the vaccination target, decisions will be made based on a comprehensive assessment of the quarantine situation.

On the 23rd, Son Young-rae, head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, said during a COVID-19 briefing regarding the timing of phased normal life recovery, "The most basic prerequisite is 70% full vaccination of the entire population," adding, "However, we will comprehensively review and assess not only the number of confirmed cases at that time but also the epidemic pattern, severity rate, and healthcare system capacity."

He also shared the government's stance on vaccine incentives. Son explained, "Vaccine incentives are not simply benefits given to encourage vaccination, but rather to grant vaccinated individuals a bit more freedom because their risk is lower, while protecting unvaccinated individuals whose risk is higher."

He continued, "When the scale of the outbreak grows, the risk for unvaccinated individuals increases, so while the gathering size for vaccinated people may be expanded, restrictions on unvaccinated people will continue," adding, "From this perspective, we will expand vaccine incentives while strengthening the response system."

Furthermore, the government expects to be able to assess next week whether there will be a resurgence of COVID-19 due to increased movement during the Chuseok holiday. Son stated, "It is still too early to evaluate the impact of the Chuseok holiday, so we need to continuously assess the situation this week and early next week to determine the epidemic pattern and the holiday's impact."

Park Hyang, head of the Quarantine General Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, observed, "Regarding the number of confirmed cases, the number of tests is affected during the Chuseok holiday period. Testing will increase today and tomorrow," adding, "If there was contact during the holiday, I think the results will come out sometime next week."

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