"Final Social Distancing Before Stepwise Return to Normal, Adjusting Quarantine Measures Reflecting the Bridging Period" (Comprehensive)

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum is delivering opening remarks at the 1st COVID-19 Recovery Support Committee meeting held at the annex of the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 13th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] The government plans to announce on the 15th a plan to ease quarantine measures centered on vaccinated individuals, as the 'social distancing' to be applied from the 18th is the final adjustment for the phased transition to daily recovery (With Corona).

Son Young-rae, head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, said at the regular briefing of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters on the 13th, "Regarding this adjustment of social distancing, we plan to organize the agenda today by referring to opinions from related ministries, local governments, and the Living Quarantine Committee," adding, "Nothing has been decided yet."

However, Son said, "One of the considerations in this decision is that we need to take into account the system transition process for the next phased daily recovery," and "We plan to calmly review which quarantine measures will be adjusted during this bridging period."

As non-face-to-face classes continue due to COVID-19, the worries of merchants in university commercial districts are deepening. On the 8th, a cosmetics store near Ewha Womans University in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, is temporarily closed. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

Son explained, "In promoting phased daily recovery, changes in the overall social system, including quarantine and medical response, need to be reviewed together," adding, "We have established a committee structure that can collect and discuss opinions from various sectors on not only quarantine and medical issues but also social, economic, and cultural matters, and these parts will be discussed mainly by the relevant ministries."

Regarding the possibility of expanding the number of private gatherings or extending business hours, Son emphasized again, "As I mentioned, this social distancing adjustment is focusing on expanding incentives centered on vaccinated individuals," and "It has not yet been decided what specific measures will be determined in this process."

The government also mentioned that the timing for applying social distancing has not yet been concluded. Son said, "The period for this social distancing should be decided considering the timing of the transition to phased daily recovery," adding, "We will discuss today and tomorrow, set an appropriate period while monitoring the situation, and explain why such a period was set at the time of the announcement."

Regarding the timing for applying the phased daily recovery roadmap, Son said, "We aim to finalize the overall roadmap for daily recovery by the end of this month as the first step," and "Once the roadmap is finalized, it may extend to the end of October or early November, but we plan to announce it promptly."

He continued, "Regarding the timing of applying the roadmap, we are currently evaluating the speed of vaccination rate increase and quarantine situations, and we judge that the schedule should be set around early November," adding, "These parts will be specified while monitoring the situation over the next two weeks or so."

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