[Inside Chodong] Autonomous Quarantine and Government Responsibility

Unable to Feel the Effects of 'Scientific Quarantine' Amid Surging Cases
Responsibility Should Not Be Shifted to Individuals Under the Pretext of Autonomy

"Control-centered, state-led quarantine measures are not sustainable and are not the goals we aim for." (Baek Kyung-ran, Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, June 19)

The COVID-19 resurgence response plan announced by the government on the 13th included a strategy to prepare the healthcare system by promoting additional vaccinations and introducing treatments instead of reinstating social distancing. It also stated that in indoor multi-use facilities, mask-wearing and voluntary distancing would be actively encouraged as part of a 'public participation-type quarantine.' In the additional measures released six days later on the 19th, the government supplemented quarantine and medical response capabilities in case daily confirmed cases rise to 300,000. The government explained that it is preferable to overcome the outbreak while maintaining daily life through voluntary distancing rather than imposing uniform social distancing measures on the entire population.

The remarks made by the Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency during this period clearly emphasized the importance of voluntary public quarantine amid the full-scale resurgence of COVID-19. The quarantine authorities appealed, "If workers come to work despite having symptoms, it can result in large-scale cluster infections, ultimately forcing more workers to take time off. Please help establish a culture where people can rest when they are sick." (Son Young-rae, Head of the Social Strategy Division, Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, June 20)

Despite the government’s requests for voluntary participation in distancing and urging companies to guarantee the right to rest when sick, strangely, the public is becoming increasingly anxious. There are complaints in society that "the government is trying to shift quarantine responsibilities onto individuals under the pretext of autonomy and responsibility."

The biggest reason for public anxiety is that the COVID-19 outbreak has spread faster and larger than expected, making it difficult to feel the reality and effectiveness of so-called 'scientific quarantine.' The number of new daily confirmed cases has doubled exactly every week, rising from the 20,000s to the 40,000s, and now approaching the 80,000s. In contrast to the previous Omicron surge, the government has significantly reduced support for confirmed cases. Outpatient medical fees have shifted to patient responsibility, living support funds previously provided regardless of income are now only given to households with income below 100% of the median, and paid leave support during isolation is limited to workplaces with fewer than 30 employees.

This reduction in support has led self-employed individuals and vulnerable groups to avoid testing or hide their positive status, causing further spread of infection and criticism that the government is neglecting the public. Nevertheless, the government still confidently states, "Vaccines and treatments are prepared for the resurgence, and diagnostic testing and hospital bed capacity remain sufficient." From the public’s perspective, the government is merely emphasizing obvious personal quarantine rules like mask-wearing and listing measures no different from previous administrations. Seemingly aware of growing public anxiety and dissatisfaction, the Central Quarantine Countermeasures Headquarters emphasized the day before, "Protecting the health and safety of the people is the nation’s foremost duty," and "The quarantine goal remains to reduce severe cases and fatality rates, and we are doing our best to secure sufficient treatments and hospital beds." (Kwon Jun-wook, Deputy Director of the Central Quarantine Countermeasures Headquarters)

It clearly seems difficult for our society to return to blanket quarantine measures such as closing borders and restricting gathering sizes and times. However, the government should not give the impression of "not restricting anything, so everyone should manage on their own." No matter how much the autonomy and responsibility of the public are valued, the fact remains that the role of the state is paramount in infectious disease response.

/Biohealth Department Deputy Editor ikjo@

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