As of January 1, the quarantine system for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) is switched to 'with Corona', and a gradual recovery of daily life begins.

At a public hearing on the ‘Step-by-Step Recovery (with Corona) Implementation Plan’ held at the Korea Press Center in Seoul on October 25, the government announced that it would switch to ‘With Corona’ in a total of three steps at 6-week intervals from November 1.

The first phase of the reorganization will be applied from November 1, the second phase on December 13, and the third phase on January 24 next year. In the first phase, restrictions on multi-use facilities are lifted, allowing all facilities except entertainment facilities to operate 24 hours a day.

Private gatherings with fewer than 10 people and events with fewer than 100 people can be held regardless of whether or not they are vaccinated.

However, in restaurants and cafes, there is a limit on the number of unvaccinated persons, and in some facilities, an inoculation certificate and negative confirmation system (vaccine pass) are applied.

In mid-December, when the national vaccination completion rate is expected to reach 80%, the government will allow large-scale events by applying a two-stage reorganization, and from January 24 next year, the restrictions on private gatherings will be completely lifted. It is about entering into a complete recovery of daily life.

However, after 4 weeks of application at each stage, an evaluation period of 2 weeks is followed, and if the epidemic rapidly worsens, daily recovery will be stopped and emergency plans will be activated.

Based on this draft, the government will confirm the final draft of the implementation plan for the phased recovery of daily life on October 29th.

Jeong Eun-kyung, director of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, who attended the public hearing on October 25, said, “There are many uncertainties, but it is a path that must be taken. Even at some risk, it is necessary to gradually change the sustainable social and medical response system based on the increased vaccination rate," she said.

Reporter Song Haseong