From the 18th, Social Distancing Fully Lifted... Masks Must Be Worn for 2 More Weeks (Update)

COVID-19 Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters Meeting

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum is presiding over the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting on COVID-19 response held at the Government Seoul Office Building on April 15, 2022. Photo by Yonhap News.

[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Son Seon-hee] The government will fully lift social distancing measures for COVID-19 prevention starting from the 18th. This marks the first time in 2 years and 1 month since the initial introduction of prevention guidelines in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Accordingly, there will be no restrictions on the number of private gatherings, and restaurants and cafes will be allowed to operate 24 hours without any business hour limitations.

However, the outdoor mask-wearing mandate will be extended for an additional two weeks. Indoor mask-wearing is expected to be maintained for the time being despite the full lifting of social distancing measures.

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum chaired the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting on the 15th and announced, "As the prevention situation stabilizes and the capacity of the medical system is confirmed, we intend to boldly lift the social distancing measures, which have been regarded as an important symbol of prevention measures."

The current business hour restriction for multi-use facilities, which is until midnight, will be lifted starting at 0:00 on the 18th. The limit of 10 people for private gatherings will also be removed. Restrictions on various events and assemblies, which were limited to 299 people, and the 70% capacity limit for religious facilities will all be eliminated.

The ban on food consumption in indoor multi-use facilities such as movie theaters, indoor sports facilities, and religious facilities will be lifted from the 25th after a one-week preparation period. However, Prime Minister Kim requested, "Since infection prevention efforts remain important, during the one-week preparation period, related ministries, relevant organizations, associations, and industries should closely cooperate to prepare multifaceted measures to protect users from infection."

Despite the full lifting of social distancing, the most basic prevention measure, the mask-wearing mandate, has been extended for two more weeks. Prime Minister Kim said, "Indoor mask-wearing is inevitably to be maintained for a considerable period," and added, "Regarding outdoor mask-wearing, which poses relatively lower risk, we will evaluate the prevention situation after two weeks and make a decision."

The medical system, which has been responding as an 'emergency situation,' will also undergo a complete transformation. The plan is to shift to a general medical system where even those infected with COVID-19 can maintain daily life and receive treatment at local clinics and hospitals. Some of the beds that have been operated as dedicated COVID-19 beds will be reverted to general beds, except for some.

The infectious disease classification for COVID-19 will also be adjusted to 'Level 2' starting from the 25th. However, the isolation mandate will be finally decided after a four-week transition period. Until then, the existing isolation mandate will remain in place. Prime Minister Kim explained, "Reflecting the reality that COVID-19 can be managed within the general medical system without major inconvenience, we intend to adjust the infectious disease classification from the current Level 1 to Level 2," and added, "Once the classification is fully adjusted, the isolation mandate maintained for over two years will change to a recommendation, and home treatment introduced at the end of last year will be eliminated, among many other changes."

Prime Minister Kim added, "We will adjust the classification as of April 25 through a Disease Control Agency notice, but to minimize confusion and allow the medical community sufficient time to prepare for the transition, we will implement a four-week transition period and proceed step-by-step," and further stated, "The new government will evaluate the implementation level and make the final decision on whether to fully transition."

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