S. Korea deliberates upgrading to Level 3 measures while minimizing economic damage

Posted on : 2020-12-16 18:46 KST Modified on : 2020-12-16 18:46 KST
Current social distancing measures have failed to produce results compared to 1st and 2nd waves
A medical worker at a temporary screening center in front of Seoul Station on Dec. 15. (Kim Hye-yun, staff photographer)
A medical worker at a temporary screening center in front of Seoul Station on Dec. 15. (Kim Hye-yun, staff photographer)

The South Korean government is mulling its options amid increasing calls to raise social distancing measures to Level 3 to curb surging numbers of COVID-19 cases. A week has passed since the government implemented an enhanced version of Level 2.5 measures on Dec. 8, but the number of new cases hasn’t fallen. Since social distancing hasn’t been as effective as during the first and second waves of the coronavirus, Seoul is considering a range of options that include watered down and enhanced versions of Level 3 measures.

“We’re listening to a range of opinions as we deliberate whether to upgrade to Level 3, which is the highest level [of social distancing measures]. We don’t want to miss the right moment, but we also don’t want to rush that decision,” said South Korean Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun during a meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSC) on Dec. 15.

“There’s a procedure in place for getting social approval in regard to the necessity, timing, and method [of upgrading to Level 3],” said Son Yeong-rae, head of strategy and planning at Korea’s Central Disaster Management Headquarters, during a briefing on the same day.

While the government has been hesitant about elevating social distancing measures to Level 3, given the massive social and economic damage that could cause, it has initiated an internal review about taking that step.

In a meeting on Dec. 14, the members of a public-private committee charged with discussing ways to fight the coronavirus outbreak reportedly debated the pros and cons of moving to Level 3 until late in the evening.

In a regular briefing the day before, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) Director Jung Eun-kyeong explained, “In the event of an upgrade to Level 3, one possible approach would to only permit takeout and deliveries from restaurants, which are associated with a high risk of infection.” This suggests that restaurants could be allowed to operate even under a Level 3 regime, but that they may be regulated more strictly since it’s effectively impossible to wear a mask while dining.

In a press interview the same day, Yoon Tae-ho, director of the CDSC disease control supervision team, said, “Level 3 permits only gatherings of fewer than 10 people, and some people have been suggesting it needs to be restricted to fewer than five.”

“We’re at a stage where we’re weighing whether it should be a ‘Level 3 plus alpha’ or a ‘Level 3 minus alpha,’” he explained.

In contrast with the second wave, distancing measures this time have failed to produce results. On Nov. 19, the government raised measures for the Seoul Capital Area (SCA) to Level 1.5; five days later on Nov. 24, they were upgraded to Level 2. On Dec. 1, additional measures were implemented within the Level 2 framework. On Dec. 8, the state implemented “Level 2.5 plus alpha” for the SCA and Level 2 nationally. Yet despite all these efforts throughout the past three weeks, the third wave shows no signs of abating.

“Level 2 measures did not produce any definitive results, and we’ve had issues with a declining rate of public participation. Movement in the SCA last week actually went up from the week before,” Son explained.

“Even if the government forces more businesses to shut down, results will be limited without voluntary participation on the public’s part,” he stressed.

Ki Mo-ran, a National Cancer Center professor of preventive medicine, explained, “Closing establishments through distancing [measures] is an indirect means of control, where you’re telling people, ‘Don’t visit this place.’”

“Ultimately, people need to avoid gatherings. If you just think, ‘That place is closed, so let’s go here,’ social distancing measures are meaningless,” she said, suggesting infections will continue to spread if people continue to go out.

Another issue is how long a Level 3 upgrade would last. Many infectious disease experts predicted intensive short-term measures would achieve results.

“There have been discussions of upgrading to Level 3 for around two weeks,” one expert said.

The vague wording of the Level 3 guidelines has also been a source of controversy. While most mom-and-pop establishments such as karaoke rooms and internet cafes would have to close under Level 3, it remains unclear whether supermarkets would also be shut down. The current measures ban large-scale retail establishments from operating, but grant exceptions to “grocery stores, convenience stores, supermarkets, small retail establishments, and bakeries.”

By Suh Hye-mi, Noh Ji-won and Park Su-ji, staff reporters

Please direct comments or questions to [english@hani.co.kr]

button that move to original korean article (클릭시 원문으로 이동하는 버튼)

Related stories

Most viewed articles