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| A medical worker take a sample from a man for a coronavirus test at a makeshift testing center near Seoul Station, Monday. Yonhap |
By 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, Jeong said the second week of November may be the starting date for the transition.
The government will launch an expert committee in preparation for the shift to "Living with COVID-19" and hold its first meeting Wednesday.
Members of the committee will include experts from four sectors ― health, the economy, education and self-governance. They will discuss how the country should carry out the transition to a "new normal" and introduce a roadmap as early as the third week of October.
These plans, however, may face problems, as increased private gatherings and travel during the long weekends may worsen the current wave of infections.
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| Health Minister Kwon Deok-cheol speaks during a COVID-19 response meeting held at the Government Complex Seoul, Sunday. Yonhap |
Many people traveled across the country during the three-day holiday from Oct. 9 to the 11th, a Monday and a substitute holiday for Hangeul Day which fell on a Saturday, as well as during the extended weekend from Oct. 2 to the 4th, also a Monday and substitute holiday for National Foundation Day which fell on a Sunday.
Gangwon Provincial Government said that over 40,000 people visited Mount Seorak between Oct. 2 and 4, while over 20,000 people visited Mount Odae National Park during the same period.
About 160,000 people traveled to the southern resort island of Jeju between Oct. 8 and 11, up 10 percent compared to the same period last year, according to the Jeju Tourism Organization.
A recent mathematical model developed by the KDCA showed that the country may see up to 4,300 daily infections in late October and up to 5,000 cases in late November.
Against this backdrop, Health Minister Kwon Deok-cheol urged people to refrain from traveling and to minimize contact with others.
"We ask people to spend time with their families at home, rather than traveling to other regions. We should avoid any setbacks at this point of time when the country is edging nearer to its vaccination goal of immunizing 70 percent of the population," Kwon said during a COVID-19 response meeting, Sunday.
He stressed that public participation was crucial in order for the government to successfully carry out its "Living with COVID-19" plan.
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