The Transition Committee Discusses Urging the Government to Introduce a New Quarantine System

New Quarantine Guidelines Including Expansion of In-Person Treatment... Likely to Discuss Phased Implementation with Current Government Through Work Report

Ahn Cheol-soo, the chairman of the transition committee, is attending the 2nd plenary meeting of the 20th Presidential Transition Committee held at the transition office in Tongui-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 21st, delivering an opening remark. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] The Presidential Transition Committee (PTC) is discussing proposals to introduce a new quarantine system to the Moon Jae-in administration, including face-to-face treatment for COVID-19 confirmed cases. This is due to concerns about side effects from the rapid changes in the quarantine system following the launch of the new government. Ahn Cheol-soo, the chairman of the COVID-19 Emergency Response Special Committee, has presented seven quarantine recommendations, including the expansion of face-to-face treatment.

A PTC official stated on the 23rd, "We plan to review the current quarantine system during the Ministry of Health and Welfare and Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) work reports," adding, "Since the COVID special committee has started operating and the chairman has directly proposed the agenda, we will coordinate with the current government in advance to adjust the direction of the new quarantine system."

This consideration is based on the fact that if the new government's quarantine system changes all at once with the government launch in May, it could cause confusion not only among the public but also within the medical community. In fact, the new quarantine system proposed by the PTC the previous day includes many variables, such as changing home treatment to a face-to-face treatment system at local clinics and hospitals, and introducing a 'fast track' for rapid diagnosis and treatment of high-risk confirmed patients, which requires significant adjustments to the current medical system.

Additionally, the plan includes setting quarantine measures based on the national antibody positivity rate survey and exploring domestic production of generic oral antiviral drugs, among other mid- to long-term strategies. From the PTC's perspective, there is no choice but to expedite the phased introduction of the new quarantine system.

Coordination with the government side is expected to take place through work reports from the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the KDCA. In particular, the Ministry and the KDCA are likely to provide their positions on the feasibility and timing of implementing the seven quarantine recommendations proposed by Chairman Ahn the previous day. The PTC can also actively promote the introduction of the new quarantine system through each agency.

During the discussion process, participation from members of the PTC's Social Welfare and Culture Subcommittee is also anticipated. Professor Baek Kyung-ran of Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, the only medical professional who joined the PTC as a member, is mentioned. She served as the president of the Korean Society of Infectious Diseases from December 2019 to November 2021 and provided advisory support on government quarantine policies during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as critiques of the quarantine system through online platforms.

The medical community expects Professor Baek to play a practical role in adjusting the new government's quarantine system. The PTC also stated about Professor Baek, "She is a competent infectious disease specialist who has been contemplating effective measures to control the COVID-19 situation," and "She is devising fast and effective methods for the people of the Republic of Korea to regain their daily lives."

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