Students and Staff in the Seoul Metropolitan Area Confirmed Positive in Succession... Ban on Gatherings at Hagwon and Reading Rooms

Adjustment of School Attendance Days in 13 Cities and Provinces
143 More Schools Compared to Previous Day

Continuous Increase in COVID-19 Cases Among Students and Staff in the Capital Area
Remote Classes Extended Until the 11th in Gwangju and Gangwon

On the 19th, the government strengthened social distancing measures in the Seoul metropolitan area to curb the explosive spread of the novel coronavirus disease (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 parties, 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 scene of the Youth Street in Jonggak, Seoul, on that day. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] Due to the resurgence of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), in-person classes were not held on the 28th at 7,175 schools across 13 cities and provinces.

According to the Ministry of Education, 143 schools adjusted their in-person class days compared to the previous day.

With kindergartens and schools of all levels in the metropolitan area switching entirely to remote classes until the 11th of next month, schools in Gwangju, Wonju in Gangwon, and Suncheon in Jeonnam also extended the adjustment of in-person class days until September 11.

Students and staff who tested positive are also emerging one after another. As of 0:00 this morning, a total of 18 confirmed cases were reported, including 8 in Seoul, 7 in Gyeonggi, 2 in Busan, and 1 in Chungnam, mostly centered in Seoul and Gyeonggi areas. The number of staff confirmed positive for COVID-19 totaled 5, including 2 in Seoul, 2 in Gyeonggi, and 1 in Gwangju.

Academies Allowed Only Remote Classes
Study Cafes Also Effectively Shut Down

In the metropolitan area, as the number of student infections continues to exceed double digits daily, stricter gathering bans are being implemented. Since the start of tracking on August 19, the number of student infections has consistently remained in double digits.

From 0:00 on the 31st, academies located in the metropolitan area are only permitted to conduct remote classes, and gathering bans will also be enforced at reading rooms and study cafes. This measure will be in effect until the 6th of next month, and violations of the gathering ban will result in fines. Additionally, if confirmed cases occur, claims for treatment costs and quarantine expenses will also be considered.

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