The government was once again cautious about raising social distancing in the third stage of concern over economic shock.



At a regular briefing today (18th), Sohn Young-rae, head of the Strategic Planning Division of the Central Accident Recovery Headquarters (heavy water version), said, "The economic damage is significant when upgrading to the third stage."



Currently, the size of corona19 confirmed patients has far exceeded the standard of the final three stages of social distancing.



In the last week, the daily average number of confirmed cases in the region reached 934.4, and it has already met the 3rd stage criterion of '800 to 1,000 people nationwide or when there is a rapid increase such as doubling.'



In addition, the number of deaths and severely ill patients is on the rise.



The government has initiated an internal review to raise social distancing in the third stage, but it is a position that it is making the decision as carefully as possible considering the enormous social and economic damages that the third stage will bring.



In addition, even if it is upgraded to the third stage, the plan is to minimize damage by adjusting detailed measures.



The government estimates that there will be 2,300,000 multi-use facilities that are banned or restricted in operation when upgraded to the third stage.



"In the case of multi-use facilities, all multi-use facilities such as stores, movie theaters, wedding halls, beauty salons, and PC cafes, excluding the purchase of daily necessities and medicines, will cease." "This number is 1.12 million nationwide. If you only consider the number of dogs and the metropolitan area, it amounts to about 500,000.”



“We are considering selling necessities such as marts and convenience stores, but limiting the number of people who enter. Hypermarkets are also trying to allow purchasing necessities,” he said. “There are 50,000 stores nationwide that restrict operations like this. In the case of dogs and the metropolitan area, there will be 25,000 dogs."




"In the case of restaurants and cafes, we are considering allowing only packaging and delivery, and we are discussing a plan to prohibit eating and eating in stores," said Son, head of Strategic Planning. "850,000 nationwide and 380,000 facilities in the metropolitan area It is an action."



He also said, "It is not a multi-use facility, but in the case of a meeting, we are discussing the parts that lower 10 or more people to 5 or more. This meeting includes weddings, etc. When the third stage is reached, parts such as weddings, which are banned from gatherings, are part of private marriages. "We predict that there will be a setback in the future.



He explained, "(Overall), there are 2,300,000 multi-use facilities nationwide that are considered to be subject to business restrictions or to be banned. In terms of the metropolitan area, there are about 910,000."



Sohn, head of the Strategic Planning Group, repeatedly stressed that it is best to control the outbreak at the present stage, saying that the three-stage upgrade should be a last resort as there is a concern about such significant economic damage.



"We are preparing step-by-step with the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and each department to prepare for the implementation of the 3rd stage," said Son, head of Strategic Planning. "However, as has been emphasized, the government's forcible suspension of business facilities has caused considerable economic damage to the common people. Rather than blocking the spread of the infection, it is best for the people and the government to work together to block the outbreak in the second phase.”



“I believe that if the voluntary efforts of the people are accompanied, the reduction in movement volume and meeting activities can occur at the same level as the 3rd level upgrade.” Ask them to gather their strength."



Sohn, head of the Strategic Planning Team, nailed that the local government could not individually determine the three-stage upgrade, and said, “The third-stage upgrade is deteriorating to the extent that tracking and isolation through epidemiological investigations is not possible. He added that it is a part to decide together by looking at whether the medical system is limited to the extent that the function is lost."



(Photo = Yonhap News)