[Q&A] Social Distancing Level 1.5 from the 19th... What Changes?

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun is speaking at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting for the response to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) held on the 17th at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] From midnight on the 19th, social distancing in the metropolitan area will be raised from Level 1 to Level 1.5.

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun announced this on the morning of the 17th at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) meeting, stating, "The prevention of the novel coronavirus infection is facing a crisis."

The government adjusts the social distancing level based on the 'average daily number of domestically transmitted confirmed cases over one week.' The metropolitan area will be raised to Level 1.5 if the number exceeds 100. Prime Minister Chung explained, "In the metropolitan area, the average daily number of confirmed cases has exceeded 100 in the past week."

When social distancing is raised to Level 1.5, more strengthened quarantine measures will be applied. We have addressed related questions about what changes.

On the 8th, the second day of the new 'Social Distancing' Level 1 implementation, a social distancing notice is posted at a restaurant inside a shopping mall in Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

- Do clubs, room salons, karaoke bars, emotional pubs, colatecs, hunting pochas, and other entertainment facilities have to close?

▲ No. However, high-risk behaviors such as dancing and moving between seats are prohibited, and there is a limit on the number of people, allowing only one person per 4㎡. In singing practice rooms, food consumption is prohibited, and rooms used once must be disinfected and can be reused after 30 minutes.

- Must regular worship services, masses, and Buddhist ceremonies be attended only in a non-face-to-face manner?

▲ No. Face-to-face religious activities are allowed within 30% of the seating capacity. This is a stricter limit on the number of participants than the Level 1 'one seat apart' rule. Also, gatherings and meals, which were recommended to be refrained from at Level 1, are completely prohibited.

- Will there be disruptions to daycare attendance and school attendance?

▲ Social welfare facilities, including daycare centers, will continue to operate under thorough quarantine. However, for in-person classes, while Level 1 allows adjustment based on local and school conditions under the principle of two-thirds or less attendance, Level 1.5 requires strict compliance with two-thirds or less attendance.

- Will the mandatory mask-wearing apply to more facilities and places?

▲ One more place will be added. In addition to the nine types of high-risk facilities such as entertainment pubs covered under Level 1, 14 types of general management facilities such as PC rooms, public transportation, religious facilities, medical institutions, and pharmacies, outdoor sports stadiums will be added. Spectators at sports events can enter up to 30% of the stadium capacity.

- Will work-from-home be reinstated?

▲ At Level 1.5, expanding work-from-home by institution and department is recommended. In high-risk workplaces, wearing masks, ventilation, disinfection, and social distancing among workers are mandatory.

- Can gatherings or events with more than 500 participants be held?

▲ They can proceed if core quarantine rules are followed and the local government is notified. However, assemblies or demonstrations involving high-risk activities such as chanting or singing, large-scale pop concerts, festivals, and academic events are limited to fewer than 100 participants.

- Do restaurants and cafes have to close after 9 p.m.?

▲ No. At Level 1.5, the number of users is limited to one person per 4㎡, and tables must be spaced 1 meter apart or have one seat or table left empty between them, or have partitions or barriers installed.

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