Strengthening Density Standards for Academies, Study Rooms, and Study Cafes...Youth Vaccination Rates Expected to Rise (Update)

On the 6th, as the quarantine pass (vaccination certificate or negative test confirmation) is newly applied to indoor multi-use facilities such as restaurants, cafes, academies, and PC rooms, there is strong opposition to the application of the quarantine pass to adolescents. On this day, a notice regarding the 'Mandatory Quarantine Pass Facilities' is posted at a study cafe in Gangnam-gu, Seoul.
Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] Authorities are consulting with related ministries on strengthening density standards for three types of facilities: academies, study rooms, and study cafes.

On the 6th, Son Young-rae, head of the Social Strategy Team at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, said at a back briefing, "When the vaccination certificate and negative test confirmation system (quarantine pass) was applied to the three types of facilities including academies, the density standards were lifted. However, due to the administrative court's injunction decision, the quarantine pass was suspended, the density standards were lifted, and the risk level has increased." He added, "We are temporarily consulting with related ministries to strengthen the density standards for these facilities."

With the administrative litigation hearing for the cancellation of the quarantine pass scheduled for the 7th at the Seoul Administrative Court, Son emphasized, "Tomorrow, we will fully explain the effectiveness and necessity of the quarantine pass and provide as much data as possible, including overseas cases, to ensure a fair outcome."

He also explained, "If the injunction is granted, the effectiveness itself will be lost, so it cannot proceed regardless of the result. However, from the government's standpoint, the quarantine pass system is absolutely necessary and remains valid."

Regarding concerns that the court's decision might slow down vaccination among adolescents, he said, "So far, the vaccination rate for those under 18 has been steadily increasing and is expected to continue rising. While the quarantine pass is important, the infection risk among those under 18 is increasing significantly, and the proportion of infected individuals is not decreasing."

Son stated, "If adolescents get infected, they themselves will have to leave their academic environment for treatment, and their close contacts will be quarantined, causing disruptions to classes and academies. We will continue to explain that the vaccination effect is significant, as many adolescent confirmed cases will be encountered in the future."

He emphasized that the quarantine pass is not a permanent system and can be expanded or reduced depending on the quarantine situation.

Son said, "The expansion of the quarantine pass application follows the order of multi-use facility groups according to the quarantine risk level, and future relaxations will proceed in the same order. The same applies to social distancing time restrictions, which will be adjusted in intensity or stages following this order."

Regarding the recent shift to a decrease in the number of new confirmed cases, he evaluated that the expansion of the third dose vaccination, quarantine pass expansion, and restrictions on private gatherings have been effective.

Son said, "The reduction in the proportion of elderly confirmed cases among the total confirmed cases is largely due to the expansion of the third dose vaccination. I believe that the quarantine pass expansion measures and partial control of private gatherings implemented since December 6 have had considerable effects."

However, he explained that compared to the start of the phased daily recovery on November 1, the number of confirmed and critically ill patients is still relatively high.

Son added, "At the time of lifting social distancing, there were about 2,000 confirmed cases, about 400 critically ill patients, and an ICU occupancy rate of about 50%. Compared to that period, the number of critically ill and confirmed patients remains high, so we hope for a faster reduction in critically ill patients and see this as an opportunity to relax social distancing measures again."

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