The government says that MERS is virtually over in 69 days after its outbreak. “Citizens can rest assured.”
Yonhap News reported that the government announced on July 28 that Korea is virtually free from the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) epidemic.
Source: Yonhap News/ Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn announced on July 28 that MERS outbreak is virtually over in the Government Complex-Seoul.
Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn presided over the ‘Pan-Governmental MERS Meeting’ in the Government Complex-Seoul on the morning of July 28, and said, “To announce the end of MERS according to strict international standards, some say we need more time, but all quarantined hospitals are now back to business as usual, and there has been no new patient for 23 days, and as of yesterday (July 27) the isolation measures imposed on all those who are isolated for possible exposure to MERS are lifted. When all these circumstances are taken into consideration, the medical community and the government believe that everyone is safe now.”
He also emphasized, “We strongly encourage you to stop worrying about MERS and return to normal in everything from economic life to leisure activities and school. You have every reason to do so.” He declared that MERS is virtually over in 69 days after its outbreak.
“The government will evaluate this outbreak comprehensively and do everything it can to improve the measures to prevent new infectious diseases,” said the prime minister with regard to post-MERS measures. “We will come up with effective measures, such as blocking the inflow of infectious diseases, reinforcing on-sire response systems and facilities like negative-pressure isolation rooms, developing experts and improving the hospital culture, and take actions speedily.”
The government measures are thought to be aiming at revitalizing the struggling economy by normalizing the everyday life of citizens in an early stage, and expected to have a positive influence on the tourism industry. Prime Minister Hwang said about this, “Especially to bring the number of foreign tourists, which suffered greatly from MERS, back to normal, relevant agencies will work with one another and take various necessary measures.”
