Health Authorities: "Omicron at Early Stage Manageable Like Endemic Disease" (Update)

After the peak of the outbreak, social distancing and quarantine pass adjustments may be possible during stabilization

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The quarantine authorities described the current COVID-19 outbreak situation as an "early stage where it can be managed like an endemic," and stated that if the situation is stably controlled, they will promote the restoration of daily life. The social measure adjustment plan to be implemented after the outbreak passes its peak is also expected to include a reduction in the quarantine pass.

On the 22nd, Park Hyang, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters' quarantine team, said in an online regular briefing, "Currently, we are at the early stage of transitioning to an endemic management system while continuously confirming the risk level of Omicron," adding, "If we can maintain a low fatality rate and manage the outbreak stably going forward, ultimately, the response to Omicron can be transitioned to the same management system as other infectious diseases."

Park emphasized, "This Omicron outbreak is a short-term crisis but a necessary process that must be passed through in the mid-to-long term to restore daily life," and added, "If we minimize severe cases and deaths and preserve the medical system while overcoming the outbreak well, it will be an opportunity to return to normal life."

However, the specific timing and details of the restoration of daily life were not disclosed. Son Young-rae, head of the Social Strategy Team at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, responded to related inquiries by saying, "It is necessary to comprehensively evaluate whether the outbreak has peaked and shifted to a decline, the trends in severe cases and deaths at that time, and the capacity of the medical system before starting to plan."

He also added, "The restoration plan announced in November last year was created considering the severity and fatality rates of the Delta variant and the outbreak situation at that time, so a revision to organize it according to the characteristics of the Omicron variant will be necessary."

The government plans to ease current quarantine measures such as social distancing and the quarantine pass even before the restoration of daily life once the Omicron outbreak stabilizes.

Son said, "If the Omicron outbreak passes its peak and stabilizes, we will actively review the current social measure adjustment plans," adding, "In this process, the reduction or adjustment of the quarantine pass will naturally be included."

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