Capital Region Level 2.5 Extended Until the 13th... Bakeries and Ice Cream Shops Takeout Only (Update)

Nationwide Level 2 Social Distancing Extended for 2 More Weeks Until the 20th
Local Governments Can Flexibly Adjust Based on Spread Situation

Park Neung-hoo, the 1st Deputy Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Minister of Health and Welfare), is announcing the results of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting on the response to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) at the Government Seoul Office Building on the afternoon of the 4th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] The government will extend the enhanced social distancing level 2 (level 2.5) measures currently in effect in the Seoul metropolitan area for one more week until the 13th. To quickly suppress the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), additional quarantine measures have been implemented, including banning in-store dining at bakeries, ice cream shops, and bingsu (shaved ice) shops in the metropolitan area. The nationwide social distancing level 2 measures will also be maintained for an additional two weeks until the 20th.

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) confirmed the extension plan for nationwide and metropolitan area level 2 distancing measures at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun on the 4th.

The level 2.5 distancing measures in the metropolitan area, which were scheduled to be in effect from midnight on the 30th of last month until midnight on the 6th, will be extended until midnight on the 13th. Under the existing level 2.5 distancing, general restaurants, cafes, and bakeries were only allowed to offer takeout and delivery from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. the next day, and franchise coffee shops prohibited consumption of food and beverages inside the store regardless of business hours. Due to continued crowding issues at franchise-style bakeries, takeout and delivery only will be allowed for franchise bakeries, ice cream shops, and bingsu shops for one week.

Indoor sports facilities such as gyms, billiard halls, and golf practice ranges, as well as study rooms and study cafes, remain subject to gathering bans, and academies must continue remote classes as per existing guidelines. Additionally, vocational training institutions (671 locations in the metropolitan area) that provide training to cultivate technical and skilled workers necessary for industrial sites, similar to academies, have been added to the gathering ban list and are only allowed to conduct remote classes.

Park Neung-hoo, the first deputy head of the CDSCH (Minister of Health and Welfare), stated, "Considering the restrictions on the operation of many facilities such as restaurants, academies, and indoor sports facilities in the metropolitan area and the significant economic difficulties faced by the working class, we decided to extend the social distancing period by only one week."

The level 2 social distancing measures, which have been expanded outside the metropolitan area since the 23rd of last month, will also be extended for two weeks from midnight on the 7th until midnight on the 20th. However, local governments will be allowed to flexibly adjust the application period of level 2 measures according to the infection spread situation in each region.

During this period, bans on gatherings of more than 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors, as well as the continued suspension of operations of 12 high-risk facilities such as clubs, karaoke rooms, and buffets, and indoor national and public facilities will remain in effect. Local governments will be advised to encourage churches, where cluster infections continue to occur, to conduct non-face-to-face worship services.

Deputy Head Park emphasized, "This measure was necessary for quarantine but was a difficult decision made while bearing significant social costs. Therefore, it is essential to achieve successful results." He added, "Residents of the metropolitan area are asked to refrain from going out and gathering for just one more week and minimize contact with others. With just a little more effort here, COVID-19 will show a definite calming trend."

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