Government "Maintain Social Distancing Level 1... Mandatory Electronic Entry Logs for Large Restaurants and Cafes" (Update)

Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters Confirms Social Distancing Levels Effective from the 7th
"Local Governments May Adjust Levels According to COVID-19 Spread"
Mandatory Quarantine Rules for Key Facilities...Users Also Fined for Violations

On the 6th, the screening clinic at the National Medical Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, appeared quiet.

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] The social distancing system, newly applied from the 7th, will maintain Level 1 as it is currently. However, it is possible to raise the level by region or area, such as in some parts of Chungnam where confirmed cases have recently increased due to cluster infections. The authorities also stated that if the gradual increase in the metropolitan area continues, they will consider raising the level to 1.5.

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters decided this at a meeting on the 6th. Son Young-rae, head of the Strategic Planning Division of the Central Accident Response Headquarters, said at a briefing that "the nationwide daily average of new confirmed cases has been maintained at the low 90s over the past week," adding, "the metropolitan area has about 70 cases, the Chungcheong region about 14, and other regions have between 1 and 4 cases, so no area exceeds the Level 1 criteria."

According to the new social distancing level criteria announced by the government earlier this month, in the metropolitan area, if the number of cases is below 100, and in other regions below 10 to 30, Level 1 preventive measures can be applied. However, depending on the spread of COVID-19, each local government can autonomously adjust the level. As cluster outbreaks occurred around Cheonan and Asan, Chungnam Province raised the distancing level to 1.5 only in those areas the day before.

Although Level 1 will be applied in the metropolitan area, the recent upward trend continues, and the level may be raised depending on the situation. Son said, "The number of domestic cases is gradually increasing, and if this trend continues, it is likely to exceed the management goal of suppressing domestic cases," adding, "especially if the gradual increase in the metropolitan area continues, we will have to consider raising the distancing level to 1.5."

Son Young-rae, Head of Strategic Planning Team at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH)

Under the newly revised Level 1 distancing measures, nine types of high-risk facilities must mandatorily use electronic entry logs. These include entertainment facilities such as clubs, singing rooms, and door-to-door sales promotion centers. These facilities were already required to use electronic entry logs according to the distancing level as high-risk facilities. However, restaurants and cafes larger than 150㎡, which were not previously subject to mandatory application, are newly included this time. From the 7th, violating these quarantine rules will result in fines, but a grace period until the 6th of next month will be given for the newly included restaurants and cafes.

According to the quarantine authorities, electronic entry logs have been used about 260 million times at 320,000 facilities so far. About 300 facilities and 60,000 cases were utilized for epidemiological investigations. Son explained, "Electronic entry log information is encrypted, separating personal information and facility usage information, stored in different locations, and automatically deleted after four weeks," adding, "for those without smartphones, handwritten logs are provided, and in such cases, instead of names, the address of the city/county/district and contact information are recorded."

Meanwhile, the government has decided to extend the application period for emergency livelihood support for low-income households whose income has decreased due to COVID-19 by two weeks. This is to accept additional applications as some regions still have remaining budget. Applications can be made at the town, township, or neighborhood community service centers after inquiring with each local government.

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