The government announced that it would announce the 'post-omicron response system', which aims to make quarantine and medical care routine, along with the social distancing adjustment plan next week.



Son Young-rae, head of the social strategy division of the Central Accident Management Headquarters, said at the regular briefing of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters held online today (8th) about the timing of the announcement of the 'Post Omicron Response System', "If possible, within next week (with the adjustment of social distancing) together. We are discussing internally so that we can make an announcement.”



The government has been preparing a response system suitable for the 'post-omicron' period after the current epidemic, judging that the domestic Omicron epidemic is on the decline.



The post-Omicron response is expected to include specific measures to convert the quarantine and medical system tailored to the emergency situation back to the daily system.



As the government has been emphasizing 'gradual transition' in the past, there is a possibility that the post-Omicron response will also be carried out in stages, similar to the 'recovery of daily life' in November last year.



The current social distancing, which limits the maximum number of people for private gatherings to 10 people and the business hours of multi-use facilities such as restaurants and cafes to midnight, will be maintained until the 17th.



Director Sohn said, "We will discuss the adjustment plan to be applied after the end of the current distancing. We will decide whether to do it or not, and we will announce it within the next week.”



As the government has announced that it will give priority to lifting the social and economical distancing measures, some are expecting that restrictions on the business of multi-use facilities can be abolished.



The government also requested a plan to allow eating and drinking such as 'chimaek' (chicken and beer) at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul by the Presidential Transition Committee. We plan to discuss this when we adjust this distance,” he said.



At the same time, the government is also considering lowering the infectious disease rating of COVID-19 from 'Level 1', the highest grade, to 'Level 2', such as tuberculosis, chickenpox, and measles.



Prime Minister Kim Bu-gyeom at a major headquarters meeting today said, "We need to fundamentally change our perception and response to Corona in accordance with the changed quarantine situation."



Depending on the class of infectious disease, the quarantine period for confirmed cases may be shortened or the quarantine duty itself may be lifted altogether.



All patients with first-class infectious diseases are required to be quarantined, but in the case of second-grade infectious diseases, only 11 patients, including tuberculosis, measles, and cholera, are obligated to isolate.



(Photo = Yonhap News)