Is Full-Scale Entry into the 'Post-Corona' Era Possible? ... This Week's Discussion on the 'Stabilization Phase'

Government Reviews End of 'Transition Phase' Including Downgrade of Infectious Disease to Level 2
Concerns Over Slowing Decline in Cases and Lack of Epidemic Control Tower Raised

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] As the decline in the COVID-19 outbreak slows down, the government will discuss the timing of entering the 'settling phase' of daily recovery, including the lifting of isolation requirements for confirmed cases this week. If the infectious disease classification of COVID-19 is lowered from the highest level 1 to level 2, like measles and chickenpox, the current one-week isolation requirement for confirmed cases will be removed, marking the official entry into the 'post-COVID era.'

According to the quarantine authorities on the 15th, the government has designated the four weeks starting from the 25th of last month as the 'transition period' for daily recovery, and during this final week, it will make a final decision on switching to the settling phase based on trends in the number of confirmed cases and medical capacity. Although the government did not specify the exact timing for the transition from the transition period to the settling phase, it is expected that the transition could occur as early as the 23rd.

Earlier, Lee Ki-il, the newly appointed 2nd Vice Minister of Health and Welfare, explained at the first Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting of the new government on the 11th, "We will closely monitor and evaluate the four-week transition period with experts," adding, "After a comprehensive evaluation next week, we will also discuss the timing of entering the settling phase." He further stated, "With our current medical system and quarantine response capabilities, we believe that if the average daily number of confirmed cases per week remains below 100,000, we can provide optimal treatment without major problems."

Son Young-rae, head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, also said at a briefing on the 13th, "(To determine entry into the settling phase) we are discussing specific criteria," and "We are gathering expert opinions on the number of confirmed cases, hospital bed availability, medical response capacity, and future outbreak trends."

The quarantine authorities plan to reestablish a scientific and sustainable COVID-19 response system within 100 days of the new government's inauguration and thoroughly prepare for a possible resurgence of COVID-19. Since this transition to the settling phase could be the first major policy test for the new government's quarantine measures, the government's judgment is inevitably cautious.

However, voices urging caution in entering the settling phase are emerging, as the new government's 'quarantine control tower' has yet to be fully established, the decline in new confirmed cases is slowing, and the possibility of a resurgence in the fall is being discussed.

Currently, key positions with decision-making authority over major quarantine policies, such as the Prime Minister and Minister of Health and Welfare, are either vacant or unable to perform normal duties. The status of Jeong Eun-kyung, Commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, also remains unclear. Although the number of confirmed cases has decreased, tens of thousands of new cases still occur daily, raising concerns that hastily lifting isolation requirements could lead to a resurgence of cases or a loosening of quarantine vigilance.

Furthermore, the Presidential Transition Committee has repeatedly criticized the previous government's easing of quarantine measures, such as lifting the outdoor mask mandate, as 'premature,' which adds weight to the possibility that the settling phase may be delayed beyond the original schedule.

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