Seoul: Government adopts a 'living with Covid-19' strategy

A new committee will oversee the transition to normalcy. Nearly 61% of the population fully vaccinated. Highest employment growth recorded in September.

Seoul (AsiaNews/Agencies) - South Korea will consider introducing a vaccine pass for the gradual return to normalcy, Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum announced. He added the country will adopt "living with Covid-19" measures on a long-term basis.

Under the new scheme, starting in November, Covid-19 will be treated as an infectious respiratory disease on par with seasonal flu.

"We are not saying people should take off their masks right away," Kim said during the inaugural meeting of a new government-civilian committee handling the transition to normal life under the pandemic.

"Although we may ease quarantine measures, we should also prepare for the worst possible situation." The committee brings together 30 experts from the private sector and eight government officials who will discuss ways to return to a pre-pandemic lifestyle.

Green passes will be introduced as vaccinations increase to allow immunized people access to certain facilities and businesses. For the coronavirus living arrangement to be adopted, 70% of the population must have completed the vaccination cycle. So far, almost 61% of the population has received both doses. 

Meanwhile, the country has experienced its highest employment growth in seven years, showing that the job recovery did not stop with the fourth pandemic wave.

According to Statistics Korea data, there were 27.68 million people employed in September, which is 671,000 more than a year earlier. This is the highest result since March 2014 when the employed grew by 726 thousand.

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