"COVID-19 Quarantine Obligation Reduced from 7 Days to 5 Days" ... Considering 'Shortening' Instead of 'Complete Lifting'

Decision on Lifting Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters on the 17th
Considering a Compromise Plan Amid Criticism on Spread of Epidemic and Right to Rest

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The government is considering reducing the current one-week isolation period for COVID-19 confirmed cases to 5 days instead of completely lifting the isolation requirement. This reflects opinions that caution is needed before fully lifting the mandate, as confirmed cases are still occurring.

According to health authorities on the 14th, the government plans to announce whether to lift the isolation requirement for confirmed cases after the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) meeting on the 17th. While there is a tendency to ease quarantine rules compared to the current standards, options such as shortening the isolation period from 7 days to 5 days or lowering the isolation 'requirement' to a 'recommendation' are being discussed.

There are concerns that completely lifting the isolation requirement could lead to an increase in new confirmed cases. This is because infected individuals could engage in daily activities without isolation, potentially causing further transmission. Experts have warned of a COVID-19 resurgence this fall and winter, and lifting the isolation requirement could accelerate this trend.

Baek Kyung-ran, Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), recently stated at a press briefing, "If the isolation requirement is lifted, the outbreak will inevitably increase," adding, "During this process, high-risk groups must receive proper treatment to minimize damage."

If the isolation requirement disappears, many workers and self-employed individuals who contract COVID-19 may not be able to rest adequately and might continue working. While isolation support payments were provided during the period when isolation was mandatory, these government support payments would cease if the isolation requirement is lifted. For students, issues such as attendance processing and eligibility to take exams for COVID-19 confirmed cases could also become contentious.

Son Young-rae, Social Strategy Team Leader at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, said at a briefing the day before that when asked if shortening the mandatory isolation period to 5 days was being discussed, "Various options are under review," adding, "We believe that institutional or cultural measures should be considered together to ensure confirmed cases can rest smoothly."

There are also calls for the medical response system to be prepared before the legal isolation for COVID-19 confirmed cases is lifted. Professor Lee Jae-gap of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Hallym University Gangnam Sacred Heart Hospital pointed out, "Even if legal isolation is lifted, COVID-19 confirmed patients cannot share hospital rooms with other patients," adding, "A fee system should be established to allow treatment of confirmed cases in general isolation rooms, but no measures have been taken on this yet."

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