Global 'Omicron Blizzard' Warning Issued

Maximum Infections..."Unprecedented Situation Next Month"
Dominant Variant Expected Domestically by Mid-Next Month
'4-Person & 9 PM Social Distancing' Extended for 2 More Weeks

Amid the emergency caused by the spread of the new COVID-19 variant Omicron in the United States, on the 20th (local time), citizens lined up at Times Square in New York City to get tested for COVID-19.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Seo So-jeong, Son Seon-hee, Jo Hyun-ui] COVID-19 infections have reached record highs in the United States and various European countries due to the spread of the Omicron variant. In South Korea, the number of Omicron cases increased by 269 in a single day. The government decided to extend the current social distancing measures, which limit private gatherings to 4 people and restrict restaurant and cafe operating hours to 9 PM, for an additional two weeks.

According to Johns Hopkins University in the U.S., as of the 30th (local time), the U.S. recorded a weekly average of 300,886 new COVID-19 cases, marking the highest number since the pandemic began. France exceeded 200,000 cases for two consecutive days.

Experts warned that the spread is expected to intensify further. Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, told MSNBC, "In January next year, there will be a blizzard of the (COVID-19) virus." James Phillips, head of disaster medicine at George Washington University Hospital, also noted, "This is an unprecedented situation compared to previous COVID-19 peaks," adding, "(The upcoming peak) will clearly overwhelm emergency rooms."

On the 31st, the last day of 2021, a banner restricting access during sunrise hours due to COVID-19 prevention measures is hung at Namsan, a popular sunrise spot in Seoul. The last sunset of the year and the first sunrise of the new year are expected to be visible under clear weather conditions. However, many sunset and sunrise spots are closed, making it difficult for citizens to visit these locations to welcome the new year. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

In South Korea, as of midnight on the 31st, 269 new Omicron cases were confirmed, bringing the total to 894. Among the new cases, 186 were imported from overseas, and 83 were domestic infections. If this trend continues, Omicron is expected to become the dominant strain in South Korea by mid-next month.

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum announced at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting that "the current social distancing measures, including restrictions on operating hours and reductions in private gatherings, will be extended for two more weeks." He explained, "The government will support small business owners and self-employed individuals by adopting a ‘pre-payment followed by settlement’ method," adding, "Applications will be accepted from about 550,000 people, who will receive an initial payment of 5 million KRW, with final compensation to be settled later."

The youth vaccine pass, which faced opposition from parents, will be implemented starting March 1 next year when the new school term begins, with a one-month grace period. Prime Minister Kim said, "The vaccine pass will be mandatory in crowded places such as department stores and large supermarkets to strengthen quarantine management."

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