Strengthening Local Governments' 'Targeted Social Distancing Level 2.5' Measures

Different Trends and Outbreak Group Characteristics
Metropolitan Area Focuses on Church-Centered Measures
Jeju Implements Guesthouse Quarantine
This Week Is a Turning Point for Spread and Containment

The government strengthened social distancing to level 2.5 on the 31st to block the spread of COVID-19 in the Seoul metropolitan area. On this day, tables and chairs were arranged at the Starbucks Dongsung-gil Entrance branch in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] The success or failure of social distancing, which the quarantine authorities desperately appeal to as an 'existential crisis,' is expected to depend on the 'targeted Level 2.5' measures implemented by local governments.

Recently, Seoul, the epicenter of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) outbreak, has designated this week as a pause week, while local governments such as Gwangju and Daegu, which had already strengthened quarantine measures, have taken preemptive actions by applying social distancing measures that far exceed the existing Level 2. Meanwhile, in Jeju, where there had been relatively few patients, local governments have introduced targeted measures according to the situation, such as banning gatherings of more than three people at specific facilities, following a recent surge in new cases due to cluster outbreaks.

Since the patterns of outbreaks and the nature of clusters differ by local government, tailored targeted measures are being implemented accordingly. Seoul has decided to reduce bus operations by about 20% after 9 p.m. until the 6th of next month. In Incheon, where only non-face-to-face worship is currently allowed, a prohibition order on gatherings has been issued against churches that have continued to hold in-person services despite ongoing infections centered around churches. In such cases, even the minimum personnel required to prepare online worship services are prohibited from going to the church. Religious facilities are designated as restricted gathering targets under the existing Level 2 social distancing measures, but as some churches nationwide have recently insisted on in-person worship, heightening public anxiety, local governments are considering stronger quarantine measures.

In Jeju, where the number of cases in the past two weeks has exceeded 60% of the cumulative confirmed cases, quarantine measures have been strengthened for guesthouses where cluster outbreaks occurred. Jeju Province had previously banned gatherings of more than 10 people starting from the 28th, but as gatherings continued, the restriction was tightened to prohibit gatherings of more than three people starting the day before, and this was immediately enforced. Although not in the metropolitan area, local governments such as Gwangju and Daegu, where church cluster outbreaks related to Seoul rallies occurred, have also strengthened quarantine measures independently by recommending or considering restrictions on store operations after 9 p.m.

Park Neung-hoo, the first head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, said on the day, "Enhanced social distancing is completed through the strong implementation by the government, local governments, and all citizens," adding, "This week is a turning point whether the upward trend will be curbed or not, so I ask all citizens to unite and cooperate."

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