Today the government is raising its distance in three steps … Conditions are already met

With the momentum of the ‘third pandemic’ of the new coronavirus infection in Korea (Corona 19), the momentum of the ‘third pandemic’ is rarely diminishing, and the government is finalizing additional measures, including whether to raise social distancing in the third stage today (2nd).

Currently, the 2.5-step extension is weighing in, but the number of confirmed cases rose to 1000 the day before, leaving room for a 3-step update. The current distancing phase (2.5 phases in the metropolitan area, 2 phases in the non-metropolitan area) and ‘special quarantine measures for the end of the year and New Year’ will end on the 3rd.

The conditions for the third stage update have already been met. The three-stage update is issued when the average number of confirmed cases in Korea per day for a week is 800-1000 or the number of new cases more than double compared to the previous day. From December 26 to January 1 of last year, the number of new confirmed cases for the last week was 1132 → 970 → 807 → 1045 → 1050 → 967 → 1029.

---

◆ Ability to maintain level 2.5 ↑… I can’t ignore the economic hit

---

The government today announces a plan to adjust the ‘social distancing’ stage that will be applied from day 4. Although the 3rd stage requirement has already been met, it is very likely that the current distancing stage will be maintained.

This is because there are more than 1,000 confirmed cases, but the government defines it as a ‘congestion period’ and judges that the effect of the quarantine measures will appear.

In a briefing on 31st last month, Son Young-rae, head of the Strategic Planning Division, said: “The distance effect is slow, but it is showing up. It seems that the trend of confirmed cases is slowing down.” “It’s congested in the 900-1000 range,” he said.

“It has been about a week since the end of the year and the New Year quarantine measures were also implemented,” said Son, head of Strategic Planning. “We expect the maximum effect to appear in 10 or 2 weeks.”

The socioeconomic damage caused by the three-stage upgrade cannot be ignored. In fact, when the third stage is issued, close to the ‘lockdown’, all multipurpose facilities except the essential ones will be stopped.

Unlike stage 2.5, it is a national measure and the closure of more than 500,000 facilities throughout the country is expected. As a result, the government has also shown a cautious upward stance, causing enormous social and economic damage.

However, there are voices saying that the number of new confirmed cases should not decrease despite intensive measures, and that the medical industry and the self-employed should improve in three steps. Kim Mo, who runs a brunch cafe in Songpa-gu, Seoul, said: “It’s hard to avoid after the crown, but it would be better to upgrade to three stages and do an intensive quarantine rather than clumsy even if you lose money immediately. “. The occurrence of group infections in nursing homes and correctional facilities is also a variable that cannot be ignored.

---

◆ If you go to step 3 … I can’t go to the beauty salon and study coffee

---

If stage 3 is broadcast, meetings and events will be restricted from previous stage 2.5, banning more than 50 people, to ban more than 10 people. The wedding hall must be closed, and in the case of funeral halls, it applies as a facility except for the ban on gathering, so a ban on gatherings of 10 or more applies.

Department stores, wedding halls, movie theaters, show rooms, PC rooms, game rooms, reading rooms, study cafes, amusement parks and beauty salons are also closed. 5 kinds of entertainment facilities and direct sales including door-to-door sales promotion rooms, karaoke rooms, indoor performance rooms, indoor sports facilities, etc. The door must be closed as in step 2.5. Large distribution facilities such as complex shopping centers and points of sale (more than 300㎡) cannot be operated. Although hypermarkets are subject to commercial suspension, there are discussions about allowing the purchase of basic necessities. Traditional markets can also allow the purchase of basic necessities.

Sports facilities, bicycle races and horse races also cannot receive guests without a limit on the number of people. Restaurants can only be packed up and delivered after 9pm, and the number of users is limited to one for every 8 m² (approximately 2.4 pyeong). Coffee is only available to go regardless of business hours. All national and public facilities will be suspended, regardless of whether they are indoor or outdoor, including academies that were ordered to ban meetings as a special measure in step 2.5. It is recommended to close or close social welfare facilities, including day care centers, but emergency care services are maintained. School classes are converted to distance classes and all sporting events are completely suspended.

However, medical facilities such as hospitals and pharmacies, industrial facilities such as electricity, transportation and delivery, government and public institutions, markets, convenience stores, general restaurants, gosiwons, hotels, etc. they are essential facilities and are excluded from the group ban.

[조성신 매경닷컴 기자 [email protected] / 김승한 매경닷컴 기자 [email protected]][ⓒ 매일경제 & mk.co.kr, 무단전재 및 재배포 금지]