Convenience Stores Cooking and Selling Food Also Open Until 9 PM... Incheon City Conducts Eating Behavior Inspections

Due to the re-spread of COVID-19, social distancing level 2.5 will be implemented, prohibiting eating inside convenience stores and at outdoor tables after 9 PM. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] Incheon City will inspect convenience stores for nighttime eating behaviors until the 5th in accordance with the implementation of the 2.5-level social distancing measures in the metropolitan area.

The city will conduct joint inspections with districts and counties targeting 1,367 convenience stores registered as food service establishments.

Under the strengthened metropolitan area social distancing measures effective from 0:00 on the 30th of last month until 24:00 on the 6th, food service establishments are allowed to operate normally only until 9 p.m., and from then until 5 a.m. the next day, only food takeout and delivery are permitted.

Although convenience stores belong to the free business category, those with food preparation and sales corners operate after registering as food service establishments.

Therefore, convenience stores registered as food service establishments are also subject to these social distancing measures, and eating inside the convenience store or at outdoor tables is prohibited after 9 p.m., with only food takeout and delivery allowed.

However, the use of hot water, such as using a microwave or pouring hot water into cup noodles, is permitted.

The city has determined that focused practice of daily quarantine measures is very important this week, so it will restrict gatherings around or inside convenience stores registered as food service establishments and conduct inspections to prevent drinking and eating behaviors.

Through this, the city will check compliance with the nighttime eating prohibition rules and take measures according to relevant laws and regulations if serious violations occur.

An Incheon city official requested, "While it is possible to simply pour hot water into cup noodles or heat food in a microwave at convenience stores, since this is a time when practicing social distancing is very necessary, please refrain from gathering or eating inside or around convenience stores after 9 p.m."

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