By Park Neung-hoo
It has been three weeks since social distancing measures were lowered to Level 1 with the government cautiously lifting restrictions on various daily activities.
Students now attend classrooms in person more often, the elderly may gather in community centers, and sports fans can enjoy baseball games on-site.
However, infection control requirements still must be strictly followed.
The transition to "distancing in daily life" does not mean the risk of the spread of COVID-19 has diminished. As infection clusters continue to occur, the virus can spread out of control as soon as we let our guard down.
Many countries are returning to strict restrictions under the threat of a second wave of COVID-19.
The United Kingdom, with 20,000 new cases per day, banned gatherings of six or more people and closed restaurants and pubs after 10 p.m. Germany is also seeing about 10,000 new cases per day and prohibited gatherings of 10 or more people in some regions, including Berlin.
It is difficult to implement effective infection control measures and preserve our daily lives at the same time.
The economy and infection control are interconnected like a Mobius strip.
If strict infection control measures are maintained for an extended period of time due to concerns over the resumption of social and economic activities increasing the risk of the spread of the virus, public resistance and reluctance in voluntary participation might become pervasive.
In fact, Korea witnessed an increase in population movement after Level 2 social distancing measure continued for four weeks.
Until vaccines and treatments are available, we should learn to live with COVID-19, instead of simply enduring it.
Our priority is to ensure the continuance of daily activities as much as possible, in order to encourage all people to engage in social distancing without being hit by "COVID-19 fatigue."
To this end, the government plans to make improvements to its social distancing measures.
The criteria for raising the social distancing level will be reformed as the nation's competence in infection control and healthcare has been reinforced. While minimizing restrictions for daily social and economic activities, we will focus on a more precise infection control targeting high-risk facilities and activities.
We will also expand the areas subject to infection control requirements in Level 1 social distancing to effectively contain the spread of the infection without the need to raise the level.
Proactive adherence to infection control requirements is absolutely necessary for the success of this system.
Although wearing a mask on public transit, etc., is now mandatory, with fines imposed on those who violate this from Nov. 13 onwards, voluntary compliance is the key to ensuring the wellness of the entire community.
We must remember that masks have become as essential as shoes when leaving home.
Our seemingly never-ending fight against this novel virus can be exhausting and unsettling. When feeling overwhelmed, I ask you to look back on the days when we joined forces and overcame crises together.
Through our track record of successfully curbing the three major infection clusters ― first in Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province from February to March, second in Seoul in May, and third across Seoul and surrounding metropolitan areas in August ― we have built trust in one another and in our communities.
Thanks to our people's civic awareness and responsibility, I am certain that we will be able to successfully navigate "sustainable infection control" despite the unprecedented lifestyle it entails.
I earnestly ask you to remain aware of and abide by these measures aimed at protecting our daily lives. The government also promises to strive to maintain the sustainable infection control system to the best of its abilities.
Park Neung-hoo is Minister of Health and Welfare of the Republic of Korea.
It has been three weeks since social distancing measures were lowered to Level 1 with the government cautiously lifting restrictions on various daily activities.
Students now attend classrooms in person more often, the elderly may gather in community centers, and sports fans can enjoy baseball games on-site.
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| Park Neung-hoo, Minister of Health and Welfare |
The transition to "distancing in daily life" does not mean the risk of the spread of COVID-19 has diminished. As infection clusters continue to occur, the virus can spread out of control as soon as we let our guard down.
Many countries are returning to strict restrictions under the threat of a second wave of COVID-19.
The United Kingdom, with 20,000 new cases per day, banned gatherings of six or more people and closed restaurants and pubs after 10 p.m. Germany is also seeing about 10,000 new cases per day and prohibited gatherings of 10 or more people in some regions, including Berlin.
It is difficult to implement effective infection control measures and preserve our daily lives at the same time.
The economy and infection control are interconnected like a Mobius strip.
If strict infection control measures are maintained for an extended period of time due to concerns over the resumption of social and economic activities increasing the risk of the spread of the virus, public resistance and reluctance in voluntary participation might become pervasive.
In fact, Korea witnessed an increase in population movement after Level 2 social distancing measure continued for four weeks.
Until vaccines and treatments are available, we should learn to live with COVID-19, instead of simply enduring it.
Our priority is to ensure the continuance of daily activities as much as possible, in order to encourage all people to engage in social distancing without being hit by "COVID-19 fatigue."
To this end, the government plans to make improvements to its social distancing measures.
The criteria for raising the social distancing level will be reformed as the nation's competence in infection control and healthcare has been reinforced. While minimizing restrictions for daily social and economic activities, we will focus on a more precise infection control targeting high-risk facilities and activities.
We will also expand the areas subject to infection control requirements in Level 1 social distancing to effectively contain the spread of the infection without the need to raise the level.
Proactive adherence to infection control requirements is absolutely necessary for the success of this system.
Although wearing a mask on public transit, etc., is now mandatory, with fines imposed on those who violate this from Nov. 13 onwards, voluntary compliance is the key to ensuring the wellness of the entire community.
We must remember that masks have become as essential as shoes when leaving home.
Our seemingly never-ending fight against this novel virus can be exhausting and unsettling. When feeling overwhelmed, I ask you to look back on the days when we joined forces and overcame crises together.
Through our track record of successfully curbing the three major infection clusters ― first in Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province from February to March, second in Seoul in May, and third across Seoul and surrounding metropolitan areas in August ― we have built trust in one another and in our communities.
Thanks to our people's civic awareness and responsibility, I am certain that we will be able to successfully navigate "sustainable infection control" despite the unprecedented lifestyle it entails.
I earnestly ask you to remain aware of and abide by these measures aimed at protecting our daily lives. The government also promises to strive to maintain the sustainable infection control system to the best of its abilities.
Park Neung-hoo is Minister of Health and Welfare of the Republic of Korea.
