Government: "Temporary Lifting of Social Distancing May Amplify Spread... Gradual Easing Underway"

Gathering Opinions on Social Distancing Discussions, Announcement Scheduled for the 1st

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki Ha-young] With a new social distancing adjustment plan scheduled to be announced on the 1st, the government is expected to attempt a gradual relaxation.

Son Young-rae, head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, stated at a regular briefing on the 29th, "Regarding the social distancing adjustment plan, we are currently at the stage of gathering opinions from local governments, including the Daily Recovery Support Committee, and nothing has been decided yet," adding, "The content will be determined comprehensively through opinion collection within this week."

The current restrictions on private gatherings of up to 8 people and operating hours limited to 11 PM are scheduled to last until April 3. Accordingly, the social distancing adjustment plan is expected to be announced after the Daily Recovery Support Committee meeting on the 31st and the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting on April 1.

Son explained that although the effectiveness of social distancing is decreasing, a sudden lifting could significantly amplify the spread, so the government is relaxing measures gradually.

He said, "Omicron has been found to spread 2 to 3 times faster than the previous Delta variant, which significantly weakens the epidemic suppression effect of social distancing and other quarantine measures," adding, "Even if we continue to strengthen quarantine measures, it is difficult to suppress the spread as before, and conversely, even if we ease restrictions, the effect of increasing the spread is less than before."

He continued, "Considering Omicron's low fatality rate, the necessity to continue strengthening quarantine measures has somewhat decreased, and rather, socioeconomic problems are becoming more significant," adding, "For these reasons, since mid-February, various quarantine measures including the social distancing system have been gradually relaxed."

However, Son emphasized, "If all social distancing measures are lifted at once, there is a considerable possibility of an outbreak intensifying," and added, "We are currently easing restrictions step by step and gradually."

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