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Gov't considers introducing vaccine pass for 'gradual return to normalcy': PM

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum speaks during a meeting on the government's response to COVID-19 at the government complex in Seoul, Oct. 13. YonhapSouth Korea will consider introducing a "vaccine pass" for people's gradual return to normal life, Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum said Wednesday, as the country prepares to adopt a "living with COVID-19" scheme. Kim hinted at easing virus prevention measures under the new scheme, which is expected to begin Nov. 9, but he stressed that does not mean that the country should let its guard down against the virus. Under the scheme, COVID-19 will be treated as an infectious respiratory disease, like seasonal influenza. "We are not saying people should take off their masks right away," Kim said during the inaugural meeting of a new government-civilian committee handling the transition to normal life under the pandemic. "Although we may ease quarantine measures, we should also prepare for the worst possible situation."Kim said that a "vaccine pass," which will allow fully vaccinated individuals access to multiuse facilities, should be considered as vacc

Oct 13, 2021
Gov't considers introducing vaccine pass for 'gradual return to normalcy': PM

Violations of social distancing rules growing

People wait to get tested at a COVID-19 testing center in Seoul, Tuesday. YonhapBy Bahk Eun-jiCases of people violating COVID-19 social distancing rules have been on the rise, as public awareness of compliance with the rules has loosened amid the protracted pandemic as well as expectations for an announced transition to a “living with COVID-19” policy. It was found that on Sept. 18 during the Chuseok long weekend, 75 people visited a privately owned, mostly uninhabited island about 3.3 kilometers from Seungbong Island in Ongjin County, Incheon, by boat for a beach party.Video footage of the party went viral on social media, showing about 20 tents set up on the beach, with people drinking alcohol and not wearing face masks. The event was organized by a Korean national who collected money from the participants, who were mostly foreigners. At the time of the party, the greater Seoul area, which includes Incheon, was under Level 4 measures, the highest level of social distancing rules here. Among the 75 partygoers, four tested positive later, according to the Korea Disease Co

Oct 12, 2021By Bahk Eun-ji
Violations of social distancing rules growing

PM calls on more foreign residents to get vaccinated

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, center, speaks during a meeting on the government's response to COVID-19 at the government complex in Seoul, Oct. 12. YonhapPrime Minister Kim Boo-kyum on Tuesday called on foreign residents to actively participate in the country's vaccination program amid virus resurgence concerns. Kim stressed that South Korea does not discriminate against foreigners when it comes to the virus fight and that health authorities are willing to help foreigners get vaccinated. "Although cases from foreign residents in South Korea have been rising recently, their vaccination rate is relatively low," Kim said during a Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting in Seoul. "The government is doing its best so that foreign residents, including those unregistered, are not left out in our safety measures against the virus."So far, more than 40 million people, or 77.9 percent of the population, have received their first shots of COVID-19 vaccines. The number of fully vaccinated people stood at 30.6 million, or 59.6 percent.Kim said the authorities will try to pu

Oct 12, 2021
PM calls on more foreign residents to get vaccinated

New infections remain in 1,000s for 4th day

People wearing face masks pass by posters reminding of precautions against the coronavirus at a park in Goyang, Oct. 11. AP-YonhapSouth Korea's daily new COVID-19 cases hovered around the 1,000s for a fourth straight day on Tuesday due to fewer tests over an extended weekend. The country added 1,347 more COVID-19 cases, including 1,334 local infections, raising the total caseload to 334,163, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). The daily number of COVID-19 cases has stayed in the quadruple digits since July 7. Health authorities are worried about a possible surge in confirmed cases as more cases are expected to be reported in the coming days after the extended weekend. The prolonged weekend ended Monday, a substitute holiday for Hangeul Day on Oct. 9, which celebrates the proclamation of the Korean alphabet.The country added 11 more deaths from COVID-19, raising the death toll to 2,594. The fatality rate was 0.78 percent.Since the country began its inoculation campaign on Feb. 26, 40 million people, or 77.9 percent of the population, have received thei

Oct 12, 2021
New infections remain in 1,000s for 4th day

Major cluster infections tied to traditional markets

Vegetables lie scattered in front of Mapo District Office in Seoul, Oct. 9, thrown away by merchants at Mapo Agricultural and Marine Products Market in protest of the office's order to shut down the market after over 90 COVID-19 cases were found to be linked to it. YonhapBy Lee Hyo-jin Several traditional markets in Seoul have emerged as hotbeds of COVID-19 infections in recent months, raising concerns among merchants and visitors. Since July, four traditional markets in the capital have been linked to major outbreaks, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).Of them, the largest number of related cases was reported at Garak Market in southern Seoul's Songpa District. As of Sunday, 840 patients have been traced to the market since a worker there first tested positive on Aug. 31. The infections were transmitted among the workers, visitors, their families and acquaintances. A total of 51 cases were linked to Cheongnyangni Market in Dongdaemun District after the first case was detected there on Aug. 30, while Jungbu Market in central Seoul has faced 320 cases

Oct 12, 2021By Lee Hyo-jin
Major cluster infections tied to traditional markets

Infection resurgence feared to disrupt path to 'Living with COVID-19' era

A medical worker take a sample from a man for a coronavirus test at a makeshift testing center near Seoul Station, Monday. YonhapBy Lee Hyo-jin Concerns are rising over increased infections following the recent long weekends, adding uncertainties to the government's envisioned plan for a gradual transition to a “Living with COVID-19” strategy. The administration is gearing up to adopt a strategy of co-existing with the coronavirus, under which people would be able to return to “normal life” gradually, as the health authorities plan to focus more on the treatment of critically ill patients, rather than controlling daily new cases.Although detailed plans have yet to be unveiled, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) chief Jeong Eun-kyeong said that Nov. 9 is likely to be the start date for the transition.“We believe that 70 percent of the population will be fully vaccinated by the fourth week of October,” she said during a National Assembly audit, Oct. 8. Considering that two weeks are required for vaccine recipients to acquire immunity,

Oct 11, 2021By Lee Hyo-jin
Infection resurgence feared to disrupt path to 'Living with COVID-19' era

New cases under 2,000 for 3rd day on fewer tests

A woman wearing a face mask as a precaution against the coronavirus walks past a banner near a vaccination center in Seoul, Oct. 8. AP-YonhapSouth Korea's daily new COVID-19 cases stayed below 2,000 for a third straight day Monday as health authorities brace for potential upticks after another extended weekend.The country added 1,297 more COVID-19 cases, including 1,284 local infections, raising the total caseload to 332,816, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).This is the first time since Aug. 2 that daily cases were counted in the 1,200s. The country added eight more deaths from COVID-19, raising the death toll to 2,583. The fatality rate was 0.78 percent. The daily number of COVID-19 cases has been staying in the quadruple digits since July 7. Daily infections fell below the 2,000 mark Saturday after reporting more than 2,000 cases per day from Wednesday to Friday. But the authorities believe COVID-19 infections are not on a downward trend as the latest tally reflects fewer tests over the weekend. They are concerned about a potential spike in new ca

Oct 11, 2021
New cases under 2,000 for 3rd day on fewer tests

Pregnant women get conflicting messages about COVID-19 vaccine

gettyimagesbankBy Lee Hyo-jin Pregnant women are uncertain whether or not to get COVID-19 vaccinations, as some doctors have been giving advice that contradicts the government's message as well as insisting that the vaccination of mothers-to-be should undergo more extensive review. The government has recommended that pregnant women get inoculated, saying that the benefits of the vaccine outweigh the potential risks. Beginning Oct. 18, they will be administered with an mRNA vaccine ― Moderna or Pfizer.After the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) began to receive reservations starting from 8 p.m. on Saturday, some 990 eligible recipients made vaccine appointments during the first four hours. According to the KDCA, a total of 731 pregnant women have been infected with the virus in the country as of August, among whom about 2 percent have developed serious illnesses, more than six times that of women aged between 20 and 45.“U.S. studies show that infected pregnant women have had three times higher risk of hospitalization, 2.9 times higher risk of treatment using a v

Oct 11, 2021By Lee Hyo-jin
Pregnant women get conflicting messages about COVID-19 vaccine

Korea to form government-private panel for move toward 'living with COVID-19'

People have lunch at restaurants in a building in Jongro District, Seoul, Sept. 3. YonhapSouth Korea said Sunday it will set up a committee this week for a strategy on the "New Normal" of "living with COVID-19," with the vaccination campaign picking up speed.The government plans to hold the inaugural meeting of the committee later this week, presided over by Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, according to health authorities. Private sector experts are expected to participate in the meeting with government officials to discuss ways to carry out the envisioned transition in the economic, education, security, coronavirus control and quarantine sectors. Based on the discussions, the government plans to come up with a road map to get people's virus-hit lives back to normal on a gradual basis.The government has considered a gradual shift to a phase of living with COVID-19 starting Nov. 9, under which the virus will be treated as an infectious respiratory disease, like seasonal influenza, with social distancing regulations eased.The government stated earlier that 70 percent of the country's 51 mi

Oct 10, 2021
Korea to form government-private panel for move toward 'living with COVID-19'
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