From Midnight on the 19th, High-Risk Facilities in the Seoul Metropolitan Area Will Close... Churches to Hold Online Services Only

On the 18th, when social distancing was raised to level 2 due to the spread of COVID-19, the area around Yonsei-ro in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, appeared quiet. The quarantine authorities urged people to stay home for two weeks until the end of this month unless going out is absolutely necessary, such as commuting or hospital visits, and especially requested the cancellation of gatherings, group events, and travel. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] From midnight on the 19th, high-risk facilities such as entertainment bars, large academies, buffet restaurants, indoor group exercise, and door-to-door sales will be prohibited from operating in the Seoul metropolitan area, including Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon. Additionally, all worship services at religious facilities in the metropolitan area will only be allowed in a non-face-to-face format.

According to the 'Strengthening of Metropolitan Area Quarantine Measures' announced by the government on this day, 12 types of high-risk facilities must temporarily suspend operations under enhanced quarantine measures.

Specifically, these include ▲entertainment bars such as clubs and room salons ▲colatec ▲danran bars ▲gamseong bars ▲hunting pocha ▲karaoke rooms ▲indoor standing concert halls ▲indoor group exercise (intense GX types) ▲buffets ▲PC rooms ▲door-to-door sales and direct sales promotion centers ▲large academies (with 300 or more people). However, distribution logistics centers among high-risk facilities are excluded from the gathering ban as essential industry facilities.

As confirmed COVID-19 cases have recently surged mainly in metropolitan area churches, regular worship services at churches will also only be allowed in a non-face-to-face format. Face-to-face meetings, events, and group meals organized by churches are also prohibited.

Indoor national and public facilities such as museums, libraries, and art galleries will also be closed. Gatherings and events where 50 or more people gather indoors or 100 or more people gather outdoors, such as qualification exams and fairs, are also prohibited in principle. Private gatherings such as weddings, funerals, and first birthday parties are included in the target.

In principle, the gathering ban is implemented based on the total size of gatherings, meetings, and events. However, exams can be conducted based on the number of people in divided spaces such as classrooms if the space is partitioned and movement/contact is not possible. Essential corporate management activities such as regular shareholders' meetings or government/public institution official duties may be allowed to hold gatherings, meetings, or events exceeding the number limit, considering legal obligations and urgency.

The government will implement the strengthened quarantine measures until the 30th but may adjust the implementation period based on the evaluation of the infection spread situation.

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