Mandatory Isolation for COVID-19 Positive Cases... At a Crossroads for Abolition?

Formation of TF Team Comprising Medical Staff and COVID Experts... Discussion on Lifting Quarantine Obligation
Post-Omicron Plan Remains Pending... Focus on Final Decision
Government Lifts Quarantine Obligation for Unvaccinated Overseas Entrants

As the government has decided to reconsider lifting the mandatory isolation for COVID-19 confirmed cases, attention is focused on whether the suspension of the isolation mandate, which has been on hold for nearly two months, will be realized.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Wooseok] As the government has decided to reconsider lifting the mandatory isolation for COVID-19 confirmed cases, attention is focused on whether the suspension of the isolation mandate, which has been on hold for nearly two months, will be realized.

On the 2nd, the quarantine authorities announced that they would form an expert task force (TF) to establish criteria for lifting the mandatory isolation for COVID-19 confirmed cases. Ko Jaeyoung, spokesperson for the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), said, "We have formed an expert TF to prepare reevaluation criteria for the isolation mandate," adding, "Starting this week, the first week of June, discussions on (lifting the isolation mandate) will proceed through the TF."

The TF consists of 5 to 6 members, including infectious disease and preventive medicine medical staff with experience in COVID-19 advisory activities and experts related to epidemic forecasting. After several meetings starting with the first on the 3rd, the final results are scheduled to be confirmed and announced in the third week of June.

Previously, on April 25, the government announced the 'Post-Omicron Response Plan,' lowering the infectious disease classification of COVID-19 from the highest level 1 to level 2. Consequently, mandatory isolation for COVID-19 confirmed cases, which does not apply to level 2 infectious diseases, was expected to be naturally lifted. However, the abolition was temporarily suspended as a four-week transition period began.

Following this, discussions on lifting the isolation mandate continued as the transition period was expected to end and enter a stabilization phase. However, on the 20th of last month, just before the transition period ended, the government extended the isolation mandate for another four weeks. Reasons cited included a slowdown in the decline of COVID-19 cases and the discovery of highly transmissible new variants domestically.

It remains uncertain whether a definite conclusion will be reached in the current TF discussions. On the 2nd, spokesperson Ko Jaeyoung said, "We do not predict a high possibility of a rapid resurgence in a short period," but added, "Considering the relaxation of quarantine measures such as social distancing, still high COVID-19 fatality rates, and the high transmission risk of newly introduced variants, there is concern about a resurgence in the fall and winter due to decreased infection prevention effectiveness over time."

As discussions have continued for two months, some dissatisfaction has arisen. Office worker A said, "Because the decision on whether to lift the (isolation mandate) keeps wavering these days, people around me who have tested positive for COVID-19 are confused about whether they should isolate or not."

Person B in their 30s said, "Since contact tracing is no longer conducted these days, even if there is an isolation mandate, there is no way to enforce it," adding, "I know quite a few people actually do not follow it, so I don't understand why the decision is delayed. It doesn't make sense to me."

Meanwhile, on the 3rd, the government announced the lifting of the '7-day isolation mandate' applied to unvaccinated overseas arrivals. At the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting held at the Government Seoul Office, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said, "From June 8, the 7-day isolation mandate will be lifted regardless of vaccination status," adding, "Considering the stable quarantine situation and medical response capacity, we will further expand the scope of daily life recovery and minimize inconvenience to the public."

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