[Photo] When Taking a Moment to Pause Daily Life

On the 19th, the government strengthened social distancing measures in the Seoul metropolitan area to curb the explosive spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). Gatherings and events with more than 50 people indoors and more than 100 people outdoors are, in principle, prohibited until the 30th of this month. This applies not only to exhibitions, public hearings, commemorative ceremonies, and recruitment exams but also to private gatherings such as weddings, alumni meetings, 60th birthday parties, funerals, and first birthday celebrations, which cannot be held with many people present. Twelve types of high-risk facilities will be required to suspend operations. These facilities include clubs, room salons, and other entertainment bars, colatecs, danran bars, emotional bars, hunting pochas, karaoke rooms, indoor standing concert halls, indoor group exercise (intense GX types), buffets (including those in wedding halls), PC rooms, direct sales promotion centers, and large academies (with 300 or more people). The photo shows the Young Street area in Jonggak, Seoul, on the same day. / Reporter Moon Honam munonam@

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