SEOUL – South Korean Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said today that social-distancing rules considered either unfair or ineffective must be changed, suggesting that authorities may soon revise the state-mandated distancing scheme to address growing complaints among small business owners, the Yonhap news agency reported.
“While mandating strict adherence (of distancing rules) in high-risk areas, bold revisions should be made on measures that are either unfair or ineffective,” Chung said during an interagency meeting on the Covid-19 response held at Seoul City Hall.
“We can expect anticipated results only when the public, who are the essential agents of the antivirus measures, can practise and accept the rules,” he added.
His comments came amid growing complaints from disgruntled small business owners, especially among those who run indoor sports and fitness centres, over what they consider unfair shutdown standards.
South Korea has been operating the so-called Level 2.5 social-distancing scheme in the greater Seoul area, which is the second highest in the country’s five-tier scheme, and Level 2 rules in other areas since December 8.
Authorities are expected to discuss revising the nation’s social-distancing rules, as the enforcement of current measures are scheduled to end Sunday, and with new daily infections that stayed above 1,000 for multiple days in past weeks now showing a downward trend.
Chung also expressed concerns over consistent cluster outbreaks at call centres throughout the country. He called on the Employment and Labour Ministry to thoroughly review virus response measures at call centres and swiftly address inadequate steps.
“The call centre industry must again carry out adequate measures by reviewing its virus response situation with a sense of caution,” he said. – Bernama, January 11, 2021
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