Jeong Sye-gyun “The third stage is the last bastion” Prudence

Applied in case of a national pandemic … Gatherings of 10 or more people are not allowed except for funeralsGreater domino effect, such as compulsory teleworking … Authorities “Flexible measures under review”

As the expansion trend continues day after day, there are voices that the distance should be raised to three stages, but the government has expressed its position to make a careful decision. Prime Minister Jeong Sye-gyun said on the 14th: “Step 3 is the last fortress we can choose” and said: “Because there must be confidence in the effects and social consensus, a careful review is necessary.”

Stage 3 is a ‘national pandemic’ stage, which can be applied when an average of 800 to 1000 patients or more occurs per day across the country, or when the number of confirmed cases doubles or more rapidly to the level of 2.5 . Although the three-tier update criteria have not yet been met, the average number of confirmed patients per day over the past week has already reached 662, which is expected to exceed the standard sooner or later.

In the third stage, all multipurpose facilities are suspended except the essential ones. All indoor and outdoor public and domestic facilities, including cinemas, PC rooms, reading rooms, wedding halls, department stores and large shopping centers, will be closed.

It is also recommended to close or close social welfare facilities, except for essential services such as emergency care. The operation of 450,000 facilities nationwide will be interrupted, of which 210,000 will be closed in the metropolitan area.

Restrictions in daily life also increase. Exclusion of essential business activities such as general shareholders’ meetings and funerals, meetings, or events of 10 or more people is prohibited. Elementary, middle and high schools become remote classes on a large scale. In the workplace, working from home is mandatory except for essential personnel, and in professional sports, the game itself is stopped.

The government said it is also considering flexible implementation plans, as the three-stage update packs a punch.

Tae-ho Yoon, Head of Quarantine Prevention at Accident Control Headquarters, said: “Since the 3rd stage is implemented across the country, it is different from the 2nd and the 2.5th. It could be, ”he said. In the metropolitan area, starting on the 15th, all school classes in cities and provinces have moved to remote locations, and steps equivalent to the third step are being partially taken.