hankyoreh

Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square is nearly empty on Aug. 23. (photo pool)

Seoul’s emergence as the epicenter of a renewed outbreak of COVID-19, with daily cases in the three digits for six consecutive days, has prompted citizens to actively undertake their own disease prevention efforts. It’s a case of Seoulites taking it upon themselves to adopt self-directed disease prevention measures before the response level is raised to “Level 3 social distancing,” which would heavily constraint social and economic activity. A large part of this stems from the lessons learned with the stabilization of the initial outbreak last spring through voluntary distancing efforts.

“See you once the coronavirus calms down.”

A 30-year-old office worker surnamed Lee has been in touch with a lot of friends and acquaintances these days to cancel planned meetings. After signs of a renewed outbreak in mid-August, both Lee and the friends began contacting others to call off plans.

“It’s frustrating having to stay at home, but what can you do?” said Lee, who started working from home again last week, in an interview with the Hankyoreh. “When the coronavirus outbreak happened this spring, it was all so new and difficult, but these days everyone obviously understands and is actively taking part in distancing.”

As of Aug. 23, Level 2 social distancing guidelines to prevent the virus’ spread were expanded from Seoul to apply nationwide. Disease control authorities -- who are currently considering the potential economic and social effects as they weigh the timing of a possible further upgrade to Level 3 -- stressed the importance of everyone complying with the disease prevention rules.

In a regular briefing the same day, Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) Director Jung Eun-kyeong said, “The key element that allowed us to control the explosive outbreak in Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province in February and March was the voluntary practicing of distancing by members of the public.”

“Unless it’s absolutely necessary to go out for work or to go to the hospital, stay at home where it’s safe,” she urged.