S. Korean gov't could tighten social distancing if COVID-19 spread cannot be curbed
- 4 years ago
박능후 "이번 주 막지 못하면 3단계 격상 불가피"...유은혜 "수도권 학교 사회적 거리두기 3단계 상황 미리 준비"
With COVID-19 continuing to spread rapidly in the South Korean capital Seoul, the Minister of Health and Welfare says the government could consider tightening social distancing measures to the highest possible level...if the outbreak cannot be curbed within this week.
Meanwhile, with the fall semester fast approaching, the education ministry says it will do whatever it takes to prevent cluster infections in schools.
Eum Ji-young has more.
To curb the spread of COVID-19, the government raised social distancing measures to level two for the whole country...effective from Sunday. Beforehand, level two had only applied to the capital, Seoul and the surrounding regions.
The Minister of Health and Welfare, Park Neung-hoo, said on Monday that if the spread in the capital region cannot be contained within this week, the government has to consider raising the social distancing measures to level three.
"Over the past three days, we have seen a total of almost 1000 new patients across the country. If we don't curb the current outbreak, then the pain the public will have to go through and the social costs will snowball. I ask everyone to abide by strict social distancing."
The Korean Society of Infectious Diseases, as well as other related groups, also say that it is "inevitable" that social distancing measures will be raised to level three.
In a statement released on Monday, they said, level two social distancing is not enough to tackle the current situation...adding that it has already worsened to the extent that level three could be implemented. Experts also urged citizens to actively cooperate with quarantine measures as the medical system has reached a point where hospitals are even running out of beds.
Meanwhile, Minister of Education Yoo Eun-hae has vowed to minimize the spread of the local infections in schools.
"Since August 11th, the virus has been spreading fast among students and teachers. This week will be the most important in curbing the spread as the summer break is over and school will begin."
She added...the ministry will thoroughly prepare for the worst, keeping in mind that the social distancing measures could be raised to the third level in the capital region.
Eum Ji-young Arirang News.
With COVID-19 continuing to spread rapidly in the South Korean capital Seoul, the Minister of Health and Welfare says the government could consider tightening social distancing measures to the highest possible level...if the outbreak cannot be curbed within this week.
Meanwhile, with the fall semester fast approaching, the education ministry says it will do whatever it takes to prevent cluster infections in schools.
Eum Ji-young has more.
To curb the spread of COVID-19, the government raised social distancing measures to level two for the whole country...effective from Sunday. Beforehand, level two had only applied to the capital, Seoul and the surrounding regions.
The Minister of Health and Welfare, Park Neung-hoo, said on Monday that if the spread in the capital region cannot be contained within this week, the government has to consider raising the social distancing measures to level three.
"Over the past three days, we have seen a total of almost 1000 new patients across the country. If we don't curb the current outbreak, then the pain the public will have to go through and the social costs will snowball. I ask everyone to abide by strict social distancing."
The Korean Society of Infectious Diseases, as well as other related groups, also say that it is "inevitable" that social distancing measures will be raised to level three.
In a statement released on Monday, they said, level two social distancing is not enough to tackle the current situation...adding that it has already worsened to the extent that level three could be implemented. Experts also urged citizens to actively cooperate with quarantine measures as the medical system has reached a point where hospitals are even running out of beds.
Meanwhile, Minister of Education Yoo Eun-hae has vowed to minimize the spread of the local infections in schools.
"Since August 11th, the virus has been spreading fast among students and teachers. This week will be the most important in curbing the spread as the summer break is over and school will begin."
She added...the ministry will thoroughly prepare for the worst, keeping in mind that the social distancing measures could be raised to the third level in the capital region.
Eum Ji-young Arirang News.