Government Discount Support Also 'Paused' as Social Distancing Raised to Level 2

On the 16th, as the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) continued in the Seoul and Gyeonggi areas, a closure notice was posted at the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, where a COVID-19 case was confirmed. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyo-jin] The government has temporarily suspended or postponed various consumer discount benefits starting from the 16th due to the resurgence of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism decided not to issue new discount coupons scheduled for distribution from the 16th to the 18th for the time being. The implementation schedule for discount coupons for art exhibitions, performances, and private indoor sports facilities, which have not yet started reservations or sales, will be fully postponed.

However, considering that the reservation period and actual usage period differ for accommodation and travel discount coupons, already reserved schedules will proceed as planned (accommodation from the 14th, travel from the 25th). For temporarily suspended discount coupons such as those for movies and museums, the already distributed amounts will be used with thorough quarantine measures at the venues.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs will temporarily suspend campaigns to promote dining out and support for rural travel discounts. First, dining discount coupons that offer a 10,000 KRW discount on the 6th meal after using five times will not be issued for the time being. Agricultural and livestock product discount coupons usable both online and offline will only apply discounts when purchasing essential agricultural products for daily life.

For rural travel discount coupons, already issued coupons must be used while following quarantine guidelines until the end of this month, and no new coupons will be issued.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries will also temporarily stop supporting fishing village experience tourism discounts and allow the use of discount coupons issued so far until the end of next month. However, to help fishermen facing difficulties in sales channels due to COVID-19 and to reduce consumers' shopping burdens, the Ministry will proceed with online and offline seafood discount sales as originally planned.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.