Prime Minister Kim: "Operating hour restrictions not decided yet... one of the measures"

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Son Seon-hee] Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum said on the 13th regarding the restrictions on business hours for restaurants and cafes, "That is also one of the measures that can be used," but added, "However, we have not made such a decision yet." As the daily number of COVID-19 confirmed cases recently fluctuates around 7,000, the government has announced 'special quarantine measures,' leading to speculation that social distancing levels, including business hour restrictions, may be strengthened again.

On the morning of the same day, Prime Minister Kim gave an interview on YTN Radio's 'Hwang Bo-seon's Start of a New Morning' and responded to the host's question about whether business hour restrictions are included in the 'special measures' by saying this. Regarding the expansion of the quarantine pass to religious facilities such as churches, he added, "Since the number of confirmed cases increases when contact increases in multi-use facilities, we need to combine that aspect with several methods such as strengthening social distancing."

However, regarding the timing of the announcement of the 'special measures,' he said, "We need to wait a little longer." Prime Minister Kim expressed concern, saying, "The key is whether our medical response capacity can handle critically ill patients or not. If hospital beds cannot accommodate (the number of critically ill patients), that would be a real crisis and cause great chaos." He added, "If such a situation is considered 'an unavoidable trend,' then such measures should be taken, but I believe it is not at that stage yet."

In particular, he revealed his concerns, saying, "Experts say, 'Why not do it when the situation is urgent?' but the public has endured and cooperated with quarantine measures for two years, and we cannot ignore the concentrated damage to small business owners and self-employed people."

However, regarding the possibility of a 'lockdown' meaning a complete shutdown, Prime Minister Kim dismissed it by saying, "Our society cannot handle that," and said, "We have to trust the capabilities of society and the cooperation of the people to gradually ease the spread of COVID-19 and prevent the worst-case scenario."

Regarding the still low vaccination rate among adolescents, Prime Minister Kim encouraged vaccination, saying, "This issue is precisely in the realm of science," and "Looking at cases like the United States, which conducted adolescent vaccinations earlier than us, vaccination is done because it is better to protect children. There is no need to be excessively fearful."

Meanwhile, the guidance period for the quarantine pass for restaurants and cafes ended on the same day, and penalties such as fines will be applied for violations. Prime Minister Kim said, "This is an unavoidable measure to prevent the (quarantine) achievements that the public cooperated with from being nullified," and asked for understanding.

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