End of the "zero Covid" strategy in South Korea, the country intends to live with the virus

South Korea now intends to live with the Covid-19.

Photo: Seoul, October 31, 2021. AFP - ANTHONY WALLACE

Text by: RFI Follow

2 min

With less than 3,000 dead for nearly 50 million inhabitants, South Korea has managed to contain the epidemic without containment.

This Monday, November 1, the country is kicking off a three-step strategy, which aims to live with the virus.

With a vaccination rate of over 70%, the authorities are seeking to revitalize the national economy, particularly for restaurants, cafes and bars, affected by more than a year and a half of health restrictions.

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With our correspondent in Seoul,

Nicolas Rocca

The streets of Seoul are full as the country prepares to live with the virus.

From now on, only nightclubs will have to close at midnight.

No more time restrictions for cafes, karaoke or restaurants.

Sing-li, in his twenties, is relieved.

“ 

Yes, I'm happy compared to the situation before,

” he said, “

I will be able to go out and enjoy a little more freedom thanks to the vaccine.

But I am not satisfied, because the government despite all its restrictions has failed to contain the spread of the virus.

 "

The number of daily cases has fluctuated between 1,000 and 2,000 since August, a cause for concern for Kim Bong-sun, a restaurant manager.

“ 

I'm relieved, but at the same time quite worried,

” she says.

As you know, we have a lot of new cases every day.

And as we move to the strategy of living with the virus, that means there will be more infections, and that worries me.

 "

If many brands have had to close shop in Seoul, this is not the case for this 60-year-old, who is coming out of a difficult period despite everything.

“ 

In December, we had to part with two employees who worked with me for ten years,

” she regrets.

But when the restrictions increased last winter, we couldn't afford to keep it.

Despite everything, I would say that over the past month, our situation has improved.

 "

The tourism sector is also hoping for an early recovery, while the fortnight at the entrance to the country remains the rule for the moment since April 2020.

► To read again: In South Korea, a record of Covid-19 contamination despite the restrictions (December 2020)

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  • South Korea

  • Coronavirus

  • Health and medicine