#15,289
Yesterday, in South Korea Reports Another Uptick In Domestic COVID-19 Cases, we saw the biggest one-day total (n=50) of COVID-19 cases in seven weeks, with many of these cases linked to an e-commerce logistics center in Bucheon, west of Seoul.
Today, South Korea's Ministry of Health reports another jump in their case count(n=79), and announced renewed social distancing rules for the capital Seoul and surrounding metropolitan areas.
Admittedly, 79 cases over 24 hours in a country the size of South Korea (pop 51 million) isn't a lot, but just over 3 weeks ago they were reporting daily totals in the single digits.
Given how rapidly COVID-19 exploded on the peninsula in late February (a 100-fold increase over 10 days), authorities are wasting no time trying to contain this resurgence.Starting tomorrow (Friday) - and lasting for at least the next 16 days (June 14th) - the MOH has recommended enhanced - albeit, often voluntary - social distancing measures for the Seoul Metropolitan area, and ordered the closing of public venues such as parks, museums and theaters (see translated order below).
Reinforced quarantine measures for metropolitan areas
(5.29. ~ 6.14.)
Registration Date: 2020-05-28 [Last Modified Date: 2020-05-28 ]
Department in charge: Coronavirus Infectious Diseases-19 Central Accident Remediation Headquarters
Reinforced quarantine measures for metropolitan areas (5.29. ~ 6.14.)
-Follow-up measures for emergency relations meeting (5.28 days) related to the outbreak of the metropolitan area-□ Today, an emergency relations ministers' meeting was held by Prime Minister Jung Se-gyun, together with related ministries and local governments, to discuss measures to control the prevention of the metropolitan area, reflecting the surge in patients in the metropolitan area (Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi).
-△ (Entertainment facilities / PC rooms, etc.) Administrative measures △ (Residents / business sites) Advise on the prevention regulations-
○ At this meeting, participants agreed that more measures to prevent infections in the metropolitan area were needed to minimize the spread of infection, and decided to implement strengthened measures in the metropolitan area.□ Accordingly, the government announced that the following measures were strengthened for residents and facilities in the metropolitan area from 18 pm on Friday, May 29 to 24 hours on Sunday, June 14, for a total of 17 days. And requested active cooperation and participation from the people.
➊ (Administrative Measures) Administrative measures will be implemented for entertainment stores, singing workshops, academies, and PC rooms in the metropolitan area.Public schools remain open for now, but Health Minister Park Neung-hoo stated on Thursday afternoon that off-line classes could be canceled if the outbreak worsens.
○ In accordance with this measure, it is recommended to refrain from operating the facility, and if it is inevitably operated, an obligation to comply with the quarantine rules * is imposed. 【Reference: Prevention policy for each facility】➋ (Suspension of operation of public facilities, etc.) Suspension of operation of public facilities located in the metropolitan area used by a large number of unspecified persons indoors and outdoors,
* The anti-distribution rules already distributed for entertainment facilities are also applied to the metropolitan area based on the revised quarantine rules as of 18:00 on May 29th.
○ Regular on-site inspections will be conducted for the facility, and actions * such as prosecution / prohibition of collection may be taken if the operation is performed without complying with the quarantine regulations.
* In accordance with the 「Infectious Disease Prevention and Management Act」, fines (less than 3 million won) are imposed on facility owners and users or collective bargaining measures are implemented.
○ In addition, events organized by the government, local governments, or public institutions in the metropolitan area will be canceled or postponed if unavoidable.➍ (Recommendation) The government recommends that residents of the metropolitan area refrain from going out, meetings, and events that are unnecessary.
유연 (Flexible work for public institutions) Government agencies, public corporations, and other public institutions located in the metropolitan area actively utilize flexible work such as telecommuting and rush hour work to minimize close contact with many people.
○ After work, I return home as soon as possible, and I ask you to refrain from going outside unless it is necessary, such as purchasing daily necessities or visiting medical institutions.➎ (Infectious and vulnerable facilities) For organizations concerned about collective infection such as medical institutions and nursing facilities, it was decided to continue preventive management such as visiting restrictions, wearing masks, and monitoring worker symptoms.
○ It is recommended that each company actively take various measures to revitalize flexible work, such as time rush hour or telecommuting, and to disseminate closeness within the workplace.
○ Each business site designated a quarantine manager and requested that thorough quarantine management such as checking the bequest box, wearing a mask, and putting a distance.
○ Even in the case of religious facilities, it was urged to strictly observe the quarantine rules and to refrain from contact-to-face meetings where it is not easy to manage quarantine.
□ Minister of Health and Welfare Park Neung-Hoo (Corona 19, Central Disaster Safety Policy Headquarters), about two weeks from now is important to prevent the spread of infection in the metropolitan area. Saying that we have no choice but to return
○ It is said that our children need the efforts and devotion of adults in order to continue their school life, and emphasized that residents of the metropolitan area, business owners, religious people, etc., are encouraged to cooperate in their respective places.
This renewed clampdown comes just weeks after South Korea relaxed their social distancing rules, allowing restaurants and movie theatres to open, and baseball games to resume.In March and April South Korea showed the world how to effectively shut down a nationwide outbreak of COVID-19, and has rightfully been held up as an example for other countries to follow.
But despite their initial success, the past 3 weeks have shown how easily COVID-19 hotspots and flare ups can emerge, even when daily case counts were approaching zero.Hopefully, over the next couple of weeks, they will conduct another masterclass showing the world how to quickly contain a post-reopening flare up.
Because if it can happen in South Korea, it can happen anywhere.
