Interest is focused on the reason why the government decided to run the social distancing stage for another two weeks, saying it will keep the ban on meetings with more than 5 people and the ban on restaurant business at 9 pm.
Prime Minister Jeong Sye-gyun said at the Corona 19 Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting held at the Seoul Government Complex on the 31st, “We intend to extend the current distancing stage and quarantine standards for two weeks until the end of the Lunar New Year holiday.” The New Year’s special quarantine measures, which were notified to the public, are also implemented without shaking. Only some quarantine measures that were specifically strengthened in the winter season will be normalized.”
The reason why the government decided to extend the social distancing stage for two weeks to the current state is based on the judgment that the spread of Corona 19 is serious. In fact, Prime Minister Chung explained, “The third epidemic, which had been stagnating for a moment, is threatening our daily lives again.” Following the outbreak of group infection initiated by IM Mission, group infection is occurring in hospitals, workplaces, game fields, and sports facilities.
The upcoming Lunar New Year holidays also seem to have had an impact. It is highly likely that it was determined that Corona 19 could spread explosively during the Lunar New Year holidays when many people gather.
Prime Minister Chung said, “This decision by the government was not easy,” he said. “Vaccination and school opening in March can be achieved without a hitch only if the third spread is stabilized until the Lunar New Year holiday.”
At the same time, Prime Minister Chung expressed his regrets to the self-employed people who suffered from social distancing. He said, “It’s a regretful feeling to think of the owners of entertainment facilities who have closed their stores for more than two months and are paying only rent, and the countless self-employed people who endure their opening day by day with reduced business hours.” Cooperation and participation are desperate. All the people, including me, are feeling your sacrifice and pain together. Small businesses and self-employed people across the country ask for a little more strength so that they can overcome the last climax of the 3rd trend.”
Prime Minister Chung also revealed plans to supply the vaccine. “By the middle of next month, 117,000 doses of Pfizer vaccine, about 60,000 people will come in. AstraZeneca vaccine will also be introduced for at least 1.3 million people and a maximum of 2.19 million people in the first half of the year after approval for emergency use by the World Health Organization (WHO). Of these, at least 300,000 people are supplied during February and March.” He said, “AstraZeneca vaccine, which the government has signed an individual contract, will also be supplied from the end of next month if it passes the approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.”
<정세균 국무총리 발언 전문>
At today’s main script meeting, the final decision on the social distancing adjustment plan to be applied from tomorrow.
The third epidemic, which had been stagnating for a while, following the group infection from IM missions last week, has recently been threatening our daily lives, including hospitals, workplaces, game halls, and sports facilities.
The government intends to extend the current distance and quarantine standards for two weeks until the end of the Lunar New Year holiday.
The special quarantine measures for the New Year that have already been announced to the public are also implemented without shaking. We will normalize only some of the quarantine measures that were specifically strengthened in the winter.
The government’s decision was not easy.
This is because vaccinations and school opening in March should be stabilized until the Lunar New Year holiday, and the recovery of precious daily life can be accelerated by using this as a stepping stone.
The most heartbreaking people in deciding this quarantine measure are small business owners and self-employed people across the country.
It is a real regret and regret to think of the owners of entertainment facilities who have closed their stores for more than two months and are paying only rent, and the numerous self-employed people who are enduring day by day with their openings closed due to reduced business hours.
However, until the end of the Lunar New Year holidays, we desperately need your cooperation and participation.
All the people, including me, are feeling your sacrifice and pain together.
I sincerely appeal to small business owners and self-employed people across the country to give them a little more strength so that they can overcome the last climax of the third epidemic as soon as possible.
Yesterday, there was an official notification about the vaccine to be supplied to Korea through Cobax Facility.
As early as mid-February, 117,000 doses of Pfizer vaccine, approximately 60,000 people, will enter Korea.
AstraZeneca vaccine through COVAX has also been approved for emergency use by WHO and introduced at least 1.3 million and up to 2.19 million during the first half of this year, and at least 300,000 or more will be supplied during February and March.
The AstraZeneca vaccine, which the government has signed an individual contract with, will also be supplied from the end of February if it passes the approval of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, so the vaccine introduction and vaccination schedule in the first quarter has become more visible.
Vaccination Response Promotion Teams from the Ministry of Health and Safety are requested to prepare so that vaccination can begin without disruption as soon as the vaccine arrives.
Please prepare thoroughly for the actual situation through mock training and rehearsal that will be held this week.
Not long ago, I received the news of a doctor in his 80s who was unfortunately sacrificed after being infected with Corona 19 while treating a patient.
We wish the deceased, who has practiced ninjutsu in the medical field for 56 years unchanged, and offer a deep consolation to the bereaved family.
Even at this moment, there are a lot of medical professionals struggling with Corona 19 in medical fields nationwide.
We are deeply grateful for your hard work and dedication, and I ask you to do your best, but also pay attention to your own safety.
Thank you.