Prime Minister Kim Bu-gyeom said on the 26th, "From now on, we will set the top priority goal of quarantine to reduce seriousness and death." Prime Minister Kim, who presided over a meeting of the COVID-19 Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, said, "Despite the cooperation of the entire nation, the number of confirmed cases per day exceeded 13,000 in just a few days."
We shouldn't take complacent measures, but we don't have to be overwhelmed by excessive anxiety, he said. "The government has been preparing for Omicron in advance by increasing the tertiary vaccination rate for the elderly and expanding beds while introducing eating treatments." He added, "From today, the 'change of the examination and treatment system centered on local hospitals and clinics' will begin," adding, "From the 29th, we will expand this system nationwide and first take measures to enable rapid antigen testing at 256 screening clinics nationwide."
He also asked for active response and participation from the medical community, saying, "We will prepare thoroughly during the Lunar New Year holiday and expand it to 431 respiratory clinics nationwide and designated local hospitals and clinics from February 3rd." Prime Minister Kim said, "If COVID-19 examination, examination, and treatment are carried out together in nearby hospitals and clinics, we will be able to respond faster and more efficiently to Omicron. Health centers will also be able to ease the burden of screening and management of confirmed patients."
In particular, he emphasized, "In order to overcome the wave of Omicron well, it is necessary for the people to participate in quarantine beyond the government's quarantine reform," and appealed, "Please refrain from visiting your hometown this Lunar New Year if possible." He said, "If you inevitably visit your hometown, please complete the third vaccination before that, and minimize the time spent at the rest area, including diagnostic tests, public transportation users before departure."
In addition, he repeatedly requested, "If either you or your parents fail to complete the third vaccination, please postpone the meeting," saying, "We ask you to stay short on a small scale and comply with personal quarantine rules such as wearing a KF-80 or higher mask." Meanwhile, at the meeting, related ministries and local governments inspected the recent frequent response to various safety accidents and safety measures for the Lunar New Year holiday. Prime Minister Kim said, "The public's anxiety is very high due to constant safety accidents in January," and ordered, "Related ministries and local governments, including the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, should operate a 24-hour situation management system and try to preemptively prevent vulnerable facilities." [Source] Korean policy briefing (www.Korea).kr)
