The Last Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters Meeting for COVID-19... Now It's Time for Daily Recovery

5-Day Isolation for Confirmed Cases 'Recommended'
Mask-Wearing Mandate Lifted
Coexisting with COVID-19... "Follow Prevention Guidelines"

Starting next month, the COVID-19 crisis level will be lowered from 'Severe' to 'Alert,' leading to the termination of the government's Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) operations. Despite declaring an endemic (periodic outbreak of infectious diseases), the government urged continued coexistence with COVID-19 by adhering to personal quarantine guidelines.

On the 31st, one day before the COVID-19 crisis level was lowered, Park Min-su, the 1st General Coordinator of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Vice Minister of Health and Welfare), presided over the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting held at the Government Seoul Office. [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 31st, Park Min-su, the 1st General Coordinator of the CDSCH (Vice Minister of Health and Welfare), presided over the final CDSCH meeting at the Government Seoul Office, stating, "After overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic (global infectious disease outbreak) in 3 years and 4 months, we are concluding the operations of the CDSCH." Established on February 23, 2020, to coordinate the government's response to COVID-19, the CDSCH held 691 meetings until this day to discuss major quarantine policy directions.

Coordinator Park said, "Achieving a stable quarantine situation and recovering our precious daily lives was possible thanks to the active cooperation of the public." He expressed sincere gratitude to the citizens who actively participated in government policies such as mask-wearing, social distancing, and vaccinations with mature civic awareness, especially small business owners and self-employed individuals who endured hardships in their livelihoods while cooperating with government quarantine policies for a long time. He added, "I also deeply thank the medical staff who selflessly cared for patients on the front lines, as well as all public officials, military personnel, quarantine workers, and educators nationwide who dedicated themselves to the people."

Coordinator Park also extended condolences and comfort to the deceased and their families affected by COVID-19. He emphasized, "The threat of COVID-19 has not completely ended, and we must live with COVID-19 for a considerable period going forward," adding, "to minimize damage and protect high-risk groups, please continue to strictly follow personal quarantine rules such as handwashing, cough etiquette, and ventilation."

With the lowering of the crisis level, starting from the 1st of next month, the mandatory 7-day isolation for confirmed cases will be lifted and replaced with a 5-day isolation recommendation. To encourage voluntary isolation, the government will temporarily maintain support for living expenses and paid leave for isolated patients, and confirmed students will be recognized as attending school during the isolation period. The indoor mask-wearing mandate will also be lifted in all places except hospitals with inpatient wards and residential infection-vulnerable facilities. However, mask-wearing is recommended for confirmed cases, symptomatic individuals, high-risk groups, and in '3Cs' environments?closed spaces, crowded places, and close-contact settings. Coordinator Park emphasized, "The government will not let down its guard and will operate the COVID-19 Central Accident Response Headquarters centered on health and quarantine authorities to manage the quarantine situation thoroughly."

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