Government: "Will Continue to Promote Daily Recovery... Omicron Spread Is a Variable"

The streets near Hongdaeipgu Station in Seoul are showing a quiet appearance. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] As the quarantine authorities decided to extend the current social distancing measures until January 16 next year, they expressed their intention to continuously promote the restoration of daily life if the spread subsides thereafter.

Son Young-rae, head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, said at a COVID-19 briefing on the morning of the 31st, "We cannot give up on restoring daily life now and believe it must be continuously pursued," adding, "We will do our best to make next year’s life closer to normal than this year."

However, he expressed concern over the rapid spread of the Omicron variant recently introduced into the country. He described it as "a highly uncertain negative factor" and explained that as systematic information about Omicron emerges, "the speed and extent of daily life restoration may change." On the other hand, he analyzed that the domestic introduction of oral antiviral drugs and the accumulated defense efforts and experience of the public against COVID-19 are positive factors.

The number of Omicron variant infections increased by 269 in just one day. Considering that 625 cases had been confirmed until the previous day, about half of the existing cumulative infections were added in a single day. Notably, 83 new domestic infections were reported. Until now, the highest daily number of domestic Omicron infections was only 49. This is believed to be due to the deployment of rapid PCR test kits for Omicron at frontline sites starting the previous day, which accelerated result reporting.

Regarding the actual timing of easing social distancing and restoring daily life, Son said they would consider key indicators such as securing medical system capacity and the rates of severe and fatal cases. He stated, "The main purpose of strengthening social distancing is when there is a need to preserve the capacity of the medical system," adding, "It is important to ensure sufficient medical system capacity and to control the actual damage to the public, such as severe and fatal case rates, below a tolerable level."

A notice announcing the regular sale is posted at the Lotte Department Store Main Branch in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

Meanwhile, the quarantine authorities decided to introduce the vaccine pass system to facilities currently exempt from it, such as department stores and large supermarkets. However, to minimize confusion on site, it will be implemented from the 10th of next month after a one-week preparation period, with an additional one-week guidance period provided.

Regarding this, Son explained the quarantine situation of these facilities, saying, "It is difficult to say that department stores and large supermarkets have no (quarantine) risk because the risk increases when many people gather in enclosed indoor spaces," but added, "However, since people do not stay in one place for a long time and do not remove masks as they do in restaurants and cafes, it is hard to say the risk is greater than those places." He explained that the vaccine pass was introduced considering these risks.

As for exceptions such as restaurants and cafes, where the vaccine pass applies but unvaccinated individuals without a PCR negative certificate are allowed to use the facilities alone due to essential daily needs, this measure will not apply to department stores and large supermarkets. The expansion of the vaccine pass will apply only to 2,003 large stores with an area of 3,000㎡ or more. Son said, "These places were already required to use electronic entry logs and now the vaccine pass will also be applied," adding, "Since the vaccine pass does not apply to general neighborhood supermarkets and shops, alternative means exist for essential use."

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