The government has begun to work out guidelines to help people practice anti-epidemic rules in everyday life to prevent the spread of new coronavirus, as a follow-up to stringent social distancing.

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) held the first meeting of the Life Quarantine Committee on Friday morning to discuss the life quarantine system, which the public can practice in everyday life.

Attending the inaugural meeting held at Kukje Electronics Center in Seocho-dong, southern Seoul, were 15 committee members, composed of experts representing quarantine, medical, economic and social fields as well as civic activists and government officials.

The headquarters has been conducting strict social distancing campaign since March 22, but is preparing to turn it into a more sustainable drive in preparation for the prolongation of the COVID-19 crisis.

The committee will examine the contents and levels of the life quarantine rules by taking into account their necessity and the social capacity to accept them. It also will discuss future quarantine measures and specific steps needed to support the life quarantine system.

In the opening meeting, Minister of Health and Welfare Park Neung-hoo gave letters of appointment. Afterward, the participants shared opinions on how to operate the committee and life quarantine plans, and decided to exchange views on specific life quarantine rules and fix them at the next meeting.

“Today’s meeting is to discuss life quarantine issues to prepare for the future after the successful implementation of social distancing campaign. However, we should not allow such a discussion to serve as an occasion to loosen social distancing drive,” Minister Park said.

The government expects the ongoing tug-of-war with COVID-19 will continue for long until the development of vaccines and treatments, Park noted.

“Therefore, we have to make and practice new daily life rules in harmony with social distancing, and the government will try its best to open a new path for life quarantine system with the concerted efforts of individual citizens, social communities and the government based on this committee,” he added.