"Let's Go to Local Cafes" Social Distancing Level 2.5, Cafeteria Workers Leaving the Capital Area

'Kagongjok' Studying in Cafes Moves to Non-Metropolitan Areas Due to Coffee Shop Operation Restrictions
Effectiveness of Social Distancing Level 2.5 Focused on Metropolitan Area Questioned
Experts: "Uniform Application of Quarantine Measures Needed... Public Fatigue Increasing"
Health Authorities: "Situation Stabilized by Distancing... No Need to Strengthen or Extend Measures"

Reference photo. The photo is not related to any specific expression in the article. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ga-yeon] Due to the impact of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), the social distancing level 2.5 in the Seoul metropolitan area has been extended until the 13th. Following the restrictions on franchise cafes, the store usage restrictions have been expanded to include franchise-style bakeries, ice cream shops, and bingsu (shaved ice dessert) stores, causing the 'Kagongjok'?people who study in cafes?to move to non-metropolitan areas.

As a result, there are ongoing criticisms regarding the effectiveness of the strengthened social distancing measures applied only in the metropolitan area. This is because students who are Kagongjok flock to cafes in other regions where business restrictions are not enforced. This inevitably raises concerns about the spread of COVID-19.

The government extended the social distancing level 2.5 in the metropolitan area, which was scheduled to end on the 6th, by one week and expanded the scope of application. This measure aims to prevent the 'balloon effect' caused by store usage restrictions in franchise cafes and other establishments. Accordingly, the number of restricted business facilities and establishments in the metropolitan area has increased from the previous 470,000.

Study rooms and study cafes have also been ordered to close due to gathering bans. Consequently, some Kagongjok have moved to non-metropolitan areas such as their hometowns or university locations where cafe usage is not restricted. Since social distancing level 2 is implemented nationwide except for the metropolitan area, cafe usage is relatively easier in some regions. Under level 2, indoor gatherings of more than 50 people and outdoor gatherings of more than 100 people are prohibited, and 12 types of high-risk facilities such as clubs, karaoke rooms, and buffets are closed.

A job seeker A (25), who has been studying for exams for several months, said, "I used to live alone in Seoul and used cafes or study cafes every day. Since the space was small, about 5 to 6 pyeong (approximately 16.5 to 19.8 square meters), it felt cramped, and it was difficult to do anything other than basic living activities." He added, "Since the social distancing level 2.5 was implemented, the cafes and study cafes I frequently used have closed, so I have been staying at my parents' home for over a week."

A said, "I am using a study cafe near my parents' home," and added, "Once the social distancing ends and cafes reopen, I plan to return to my rented room."

University student B (22) also said, "Since classes are online, I stayed in Seoul, but when cafe usage became impossible, I returned to my rented room. Since I am in a provincial area, I can use cafes, so I gather with classmates to attend classes and work on assignments together."

On the 31st, when social distancing level 2.5 was in effect, a sign-in sheet that customers must fill out is placed at the entrance of a cafe in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. The photo is not related to any specific content in the article. Photo by Yonhap News

As a result, some criticize the effectiveness of the social distancing levels. Although the spread is slowing down, there are claims that the same level of measures was necessary to completely block local infections occurring nationwide.

C, a 30-year-old office worker, said, "Of course, I think it is wrong for people to go out and not follow quarantine rules in this situation," but added, "If everyone had obeyed the rules, there would have been no Gwanghwamun rally. When one side is blocked, others find a way through, so I think if measures had been taken more decisively, the spread could have been controlled faster."

Experts suggest that uniform preemptive measures are necessary since infectious diseases threaten public health.

Professor Kim Woo-joo of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Korea University Guro Hospital said, "Infectious disease issues should not be resolved with economic logic. Because quarantine measures are only partially strengthened out of fear that the economy might collapse, the situation prolongs and the effects are partial." He pointed out, "As a result, self-employed people suffer business disruptions, and citizens experience fatigue regarding the COVID-19 situation."

He continued, "Applying quarantine measures uniformly prevents complaints. Since additional measures are taken after situations arise and their effectiveness is limited, complaints continue. The reason I suggested social distancing level 3 early on was for these reasons," he said.

Meanwhile, health authorities view that the spread has stabilized and see no need for further extension of social distancing level 2.5.

Son Young-rae, head of the Strategic Planning Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, said at a regular briefing on the 9th, "The enhanced social distancing in the metropolitan area, extended until this weekend, now has only five days left. If everyone focuses on social distancing for these remaining five days until the end of this week, COVID-19 can be controlled in a clearly stable state, so no further extension is necessary."

Son added, "Outside the metropolitan area, the number of cases nationwide has decreased to under 50 and is being maintained. This is the result of the public's efforts to adhere to social distancing two weeks ago, leading to clearly positive outcomes. Many self-employed people and lower-income groups are enduring business damages to participate in social distancing, and countless neighbors are staying home and enduring daily inconveniences in unseen ways. The finish line is near," he concluded.

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