팬데믹 다시 와도 ‘기계적 거리두기’ 안 한다

The upcoming outbreak of a disease like COVID-19 may see health measures such as mandatory mask-wearing and bans on private gatherings being strengthened all at once, depending on the characteristics and risk level of the disease. The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced on the 18th that they have established a 'Manual for Societal Response in Infectious Disease Emergencies' which takes into account the evaluation of the assessment on the impact of social distancing, facility operation restrictions, and other measures taken during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The manual classifies the measures into three categories: individual protection (mask-wearing, personal hygiene), environmental measures (ventilation, disinfection), and social measures (physical distancing, movement restrictions, facility operation adjustments). The level of these measures is categorized into four stages: advisory, mandatory, restricted, and prohibited.

The response level is determined by considering the severity of the disease, its transmission rate, medical burden, availability of medical countermeasures, population immunity levels, and the size of the outbreak. For instance, if the number of new patients rises, and the number of critical cases and deaths increases, and the virus reproduction number remains above 1.2 for more than two weeks with intensive care unit occupancy at 70-80%, the stage is adjusted accordingly.

The manual allows for a combination of individual measures or a mix of measures based on the characteristics and risk level of the disease. For example, individual protection measures like mask-wearing could be applied at the third stage while social measures like school attendance are applied at the second stage. The response level could also vary based on the local or facility-specific risk level.

The process of deciding on a response is also formalized for the first time, comprising eight stages from early warning to review and readjustment of the measures. It also establishes a specialized committee comprising experts from various fields such as social, economic, and human rights to review the societal impact of the response measures.

The manual also specifies the factors considered when evaluating the measures, such as their effectiveness in preventing transmission, social acceptability, fairness, unintended negative impacts, and the need for protective measures. The manual is intended to be revised annually and updated as needed during a crisis. Dr. Jang Suk-wan, the Director-General of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, stated that the manual establishes a standard for protecting public health while simultaneously safeguarding the well-being of the population and citizens, and emphasized that the response will be guided by scientific evidence and fairness.