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Tuesday, 18 August 2026 Reading Room
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The government has announced that it will not implement mechanical distancing measures even if a pandemic occurs again. On the 20th, the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Central Disaster Management Headquarters announced that they would not enforce a nationwide lockdown or mechanical distancing measures, such as restricting people's movement and gathering, even if a pandemic similar to COVID-19 occurs in the future. Instead, the government plans to respond to infectious diseases through 'autonomous, voluntary participation-type' quarantine, such as wearing masks and self-isolation. The government explained that it will focus on inducing the public to voluntarily participate in quarantine, such as by recommending mask-wearing and self-isolation for those with COVID-19 symptoms, rather than forcing people to follow strict quarantine rules. The government plans to amend the Infectious Disease Prevention Act to introduce penalties for violations of quarantine rules, but it will not enforce strict quarantine measures like those implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. The government cited the negative impact of mechanical distancing measures on the economy and daily life, and emphasized that it will respond to infectious diseases in a more flexible and realistic way. The government also plans to establish an evaluation and monitoring system to check the level of public participation in quarantine and adjust its quarantine strategy accordingly. The government plans to finalize its quarantine strategy by the end of the year and announce it to the public. Minister of Health and Welfare, Kwon Deok-cheol, stated that "we will be able to respond more flexibly and effectively to infectious diseases by inducing voluntary participation in quarantine from the public and establishing an evaluation and monitoring system."

·hani.co.kr

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