November Daily Recovery 'Level 1' Implemented... Prime Minister Kim: "Essential Quarantine Rules Must Be Followed" (Update)

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 held at Ulsan City Hall on the 29th. 2021.10.29 [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Son Seon-hee] The government will implement Phase 1 of the 'gradual return to normal life' for four weeks starting next month on the 1st.

Restrictions on business hours for livelihood facilities will be completely lifted, and private gatherings will be eased to a maximum of 10 people in the metropolitan area and 12 people in non-metropolitan areas, regardless of vaccination status. However, for vulnerable places such as restaurants and cafes, unvaccinated individuals will be limited to a maximum of 4 people.

For entertainment facilities and indoor sports facilities, a vaccination certificate and negative test confirmation system, known as the 'vaccine pass,' will be applied. To prevent confusion on-site, a one to two-week grace period will be set.

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum chaired the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting at Ulsan City Hall on the morning of the 29th and announced the implementation of Phase 1 with these details, stating, "The return to normal life will be promoted step-by-step in three phases," and "The first phase will be implemented for four weeks, and a comprehensive evaluation of the quarantine situation will determine whether to move to the next phase." He explained that it will take at least 12 weeks of gradual return to normal life depending on the quarantine situation to return to the pre-COVID-19 level.

However, Prime Minister Kim emphasized, "We must clearly recognize that this is not the 'end' but a 'new beginning' in the fight against COVID-19," and added, "Although the return to normal life begins, it does not mean we should let go of quarantine measures."

Regarding the continued restriction on the number of private gatherings even in Phase 1 of the return to normal life, Prime Minister Kim said, "As the vaccination rate increases and the quarantine situation stabilizes, these restrictions can also be lifted." In response to complaints that the 'vaccine pass' discriminates against unvaccinated people, he asked for cooperation, saying, "It is an unavoidable choice to reduce the risk of increased cluster infections."

This government's gradual return to normal life policy is being implemented about 1 year and 10 months (652 days) after the first confirmed COVID-19 case in the country. Recently, as the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has risen again to the 2,000 range, there are concerns about the transition to normal life. In fact, countries that attempted to transition to normal life earlier than Korea have recently seen a surge in confirmed cases.

However, Prime Minister Kim said, "We trust the civic consciousness and maturity that the people have shown so far, and even if difficulties arise, we will not retreat but move forward," emphasizing, "We will prepare solid quarantine and medical response capabilities, keeping the worst-case scenario in mind."

He also urged, "Please strictly adhere to the three essential quarantine rules until the end: wearing masks indoors and outdoors, regular ventilation, and active diagnostic testing."

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