Citizens walk near Gwanghwamun Square in downtown Seoul in this undated photo. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Aug. 13 (Korea Bizwire) – As COVID-19 cases rise again in South Korea, inconsistent workplace policies are causing confusion among employees, highlighting the ongoing challenges of managing the pandemic in the workplace.
According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), COVID-19 hospitalizations have surged almost sixfold over the past four weeks. From July 28 to August 3, 861 patients were hospitalized with COVID-19, almost twice as many as the previous week.
Despite the typical seasonal pattern of respiratory viruses peaking in winter, COVID-19 has shown the ability to surge regardless of season. The KDCA projects that cases will continue to rise through the end of August, based on trends observed over the past two years.
In April, South Korea downgraded its COVID-19 crisis level from “alert” to “interest,” the lowest level. This change means that isolation for confirmed cases is now recommended rather than mandatory.
Infected individuals can return to daily activities after symptoms improve and a day passes without incident. However, those with severe symptoms or compromised immune systems may face longer restrictions based on medical advice.
The principle of self-treatment remains in place, although hospitalization is possible when necessary. Symptomatic individuals can receive conservative treatments such as IV fluids or fever reducers after medical consultation.
This shift in policy has led to varied responses from employers. Some companies are requiring employees to use personal vacation days for COVID-19-related absences, while others are more flexible. As a result, some workers are reluctant to disclose their positive status or are continuing to work despite being ill.
Medical experts stress the importance of testing and mask-wearing for those experiencing symptoms, even if the virus is not yet considered to be at an “epidemic” stage. They recommend using KF94 masks rather than dental masks for better protection.
The situation has sparked calls for the establishment of a paid sick leave system in South Korea. Critics argue that the lack of legal provisions for sick leave leaves workers vulnerable, suggesting that the government should encourage paid leave and provide support to businesses to implement such policies.
As summer progresses, experts warn that the risk of respiratory infections may increase due to increased indoor activities with air conditioning and more social interactions during vacation periods. They emphasize the continued importance of indoor ventilation, hand washing, and mask-wearing.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
