Jeong Gi-seok "COVID-19 Emergency → Need to Start Transition to Routine Response System"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] Jeong Gi-seok, Chair of the National Infectious Disease Crisis Response Advisory Committee, stated that it is time to transition the COVID-19 emergency response system to a routine response system.

On the 16th, during a briefing at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, Chair Jeong said, "We need to start discussions on transitioning from the current COVID-19 emergency response system to a routine COVID-19 response system."

With WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stating that "the end of the COVID-19 pandemic is in sight," the implication is that South Korea should also prepare in advance for a full return to normal life.

Chair Jeong explained, "As the pandemic ends globally, South Korea must not fall behind," adding, "Since most of the nation's wealth is generated through trade, falling behind global trends means delays for us as well." He continued, "Especially in economic, social, and cultural activities, we must not lag behind," and emphasized, "Therefore, we need to start preparing an exit strategy from now."

Regarding the timing of the transition to a routine COVID-19 system, he said, "I expect that in about six months, such activities will fully resume (normalization of global trade)."

Chair Jeong explained that other countries have already taken measures to transition COVID-19 prevention to a routine system. Countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Israel, the United States, and Singapore have lifted indoor mask mandates except in some facilities. France declared the end of its health emergency last month on the 1st and lifted some COVID-19 prevention measures. He said, "These countries have maintained stability without major outbreaks even after easing prevention measures."

Regarding the indoor mask mandate, Chair Jeong said, "There are few countries that enforce indoor mask-wearing as strictly and inconveniently as South Korea," and added, "Considering the trends in confirmed cases and fatality rates, it is time for South Korea to discuss transitioning to a routine response system like these countries."

Chair Jeong predicted that COVID-19 will become a disease that circulates routinely like the flu. He said, "Every year, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency issues flu warnings, but people continue their daily lives as usual. I believe the day when COVID-19 becomes such a disease is not far off." He cited the well-established systems for vaccines, antiviral treatments, hospital beds, and outpatient care as the basis for this.

He also added that the recent decrease in the domestic severe case rate and fatality rate is another reason for proposing the system transition. The recent COVID-19 fatality rate in South Korea is 0.04%, about one-fiftieth of the initial 2.1%.

However, Chair Jeong urged the government and local governments to prepare thoroughly for the 7th wave, considering the possibility of simultaneous outbreaks of flu and COVID-19, and the potential resurgence around late November due to waning immunity among the population.

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