'Step-by-step Return to Normal' Final Social Distancing Adjustment Plan Announced on the 15th... Expanded Vaccination Incentives

On the 12th, when the number of people who received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine surpassed 40 million and hospital workers began their booster shots, citizens were observed for adverse reactions after vaccination at the vaccination center set up at Bukahyeon Culture and Sports Center in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] The government will announce the final adjustment plan for 'social distancing' before the phased return to normal life on the 15th. Since the government plans to begin phased daily recovery from next month, this social distancing adjustment plan will focus more on expanding incentives for fully vaccinated individuals rather than easing private gathering restrictions or business hour limits.

Son Young-rae, head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, stated at the regular briefing of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters on the 12th, "We currently consider the social distancing to be implemented from next week as the last adjustment before the transition to the phased daily recovery system," adding, "We are currently working on practical tasks to decide and announce it on the 15th (Friday)."

The government is currently maintaining level 4 social distancing in the metropolitan area and level 3 in non-metropolitan areas, with the current measures set to expire on the 17th.

Son explained, "Although the details of the social distancing adjustment have not been decided yet, restrictions on private gatherings or business hours are issues to be fully reviewed from the transition to the phased daily recovery system," and added, "We are carefully considering measures to ease some quarantine rules centered on fully vaccinated individuals."

Vaccination rate crucial for phased daily recovery... ‘COVID-19 Daily Recovery Support Committee’ holds first meeting tomorrow

On the 12th, when the number of people receiving the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine surpassed 40 million and hospital workers began their booster shots, a foreigner is getting vaccinated at the vaccination center set up at Bukahyeon Culture and Sports Center in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

The government emphasized that achieving the target vaccination rate is the most important factor for phased daily recovery starting next month.

Son stated, "We will prioritize the vaccination rate while reviewing the current quarantine situation and the available capacity of the medical system to determine the timing, content, and level of phased daily recovery," adding, "This social distancing announcement will focus more on expanding incentives for vaccinated individuals rather than a full transition to daily recovery."

According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, the average daily number of domestic COVID-19 confirmed cases from October 3 to 9 was 1,961, a 21.2% decrease compared to the previous week. The infection reproduction number for the past week was 0.89, showing a decline below 1 after four consecutive weeks of increase.

Park Hyang, head of the Quarantine General Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, said, "If the vaccination rate continues to rise and the severity and fatality rates are stably managed as they are now, it seems possible to transition to a quarantine system for phased daily recovery starting in November."

Regarding the ‘COVID-19 Daily Recovery Support Committee’ officially launching tomorrow, Park emphasized, "The first meeting will be held tomorrow morning at the Government Seoul Office," and added, "We will make thorough preparations for daily recovery through sufficient consultations with related ministries and private committee members from various fields."

He continued, "The COVID-19 Daily Recovery Support Committee will play a central role in creating a blueprint for daily recovery by incorporating opinions from all walks of life," and added, "Phased daily recovery will be a journey for all citizens together."

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