The government said further feedback from the public is necessary before deciding on the use of electronic wrist monitors for people under mandatory self-quarantine due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Kim Gang-lip, the deputy head of the Central Disaster Management Headquarters, said during a briefing that there has not been an agreement on the mandate as of Wednesday morning.
Senior health ministry official Yoon Tae-ho told reporters on Tuesday that the government is considering wristbands as a means to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.
The proposal came amid a growing number of reported incidents where people broke away from mandatory self-isolation.
However, concerns surrounding privacy as well as efficacy of the measure have delayed the government's decision.
Aware of the urgency of a stronger enforcement in mandatory self-quarantine measure, Kim said the government is working to reach a decision as soon as possible.■
<Photo: Yonhap News>
