South Korea battles to contain COVID amid policy uncertainty

The country had largely contained the pandemic by summer, but COVID-19 cases have recently seen an alarming rise. Korean media and health experts blame authorities for the situation.

South Korea is experiencing a spike in COVID-19 cases, with more than 1,000 people per day having tested positive several times in the past two weeks. The government initially raised its social distancing regulations to what it calls level 2.5 (out of 3) in the capital region, and then implemented auxiliary measures on Wednesday.

The new regulations limit gatherings to four people – anywhere in the country, indoors or outdoors – with certain exceptions. However, these measures have led to increasing confusion, while hospital beds for serious virus patients have become scarce, and the government comes under pressure over failure to procure vaccine supplies in a timely manner.

South Koreans have largely followed the coronavirus rules, but the government warns of a more restrictive lockdown.

New COVID restrictions

South Korea efficiently contained the pandemic early in the outbreak. Its testing, contact tracing and quarantining methods were praised around the world as a cluster outbreak at a church in February was quickly brought under control by summer.

The situation changed in the fall, with November cases rising to hundreds per day until December 12, when 1,030 new cases of the virus were announced by the Korea Center for Disease Control. After some delay, the government tightened social distancing regulations in the capital region, home to more than half of the country's residents. Many facilities were closed, although people could still eat in restaurants with seating restricted, and cafes could serve take out coffee.

As cases continue to hover around 1,000 per day, officials have come under pressure to raise the social distancing level to 3.0 – the highest level. Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun warned that the government was considering such a move as a "last resort." On Monday, auxiliary measures were announced for the capital region, in coordination with Gyeonggi Province and Incheon, and the rules came into effect on Wednesday.

Gatherings of more than four people have been largely banned. Exceptions are made for people living together, those attending funerals or weddings, although capacities are restricted and masks must be worn. And still at most businesses, including cafés and restaurants, customers are required to either sign in, or log in – through a QR code using their phone.

Will government move to third-tier level?

Many people were caught off guard with the new restrictions. "I was surprised," said Yoo Byung-wook, the director of the International Health Care Center at Soon Chun Hyang University in Seoul. "Level 3 does not allow gatherings of more than 10 people. Now more than five are not allowed, which means it's stronger than level 3 of social distancing," Yoo told DW.

At level 3, an estimated 2 million stores and facilities across