Suncheon City First Nationwide to Raise 'Social Distancing' to Level 2

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Suncheon City, Jeollanam-do, will be elevated to social distancing level 2 starting from midnight on the 20th. This is the first time nationwide that the distancing level has been raised to level 2 since the stages were subdivided.

According to Jeollanam-do on the 19th, Suncheon City has been experiencing continuous small-scale cluster infections in facilities closely related to daily life, such as financial institutions, companies, schools, hospitals, saunas, and cafes.

From the 7th, a total of 57 confirmed cases have occurred over 13 days. The average daily number of confirmed cases is 7.42, with 1.57 cases among those aged 60 and above.

Recently, 10 cases of cluster infection occurred in a village in Byeollyang-myeon, Suncheon, along with 3 elementary school students infected. With the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) scheduled for December 3rd just days away, the need to strengthen quarantine measures has been raised.

Also, at the request of the private joint countermeasure committee, Jeollanam-do, in consultation with the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters and Suncheon City, has raised the social distancing level to level 2 this time.

Accordingly, entertainment facilities such as nightclubs will be prohibited from gathering, and key management facilities such as singing rooms will cease operations after 9 p.m.

Cafes will be allowed only for takeout and delivery, and restaurants can operate by maintaining one seat spacing but only takeout and delivery will be permitted after 9 p.m.

General facilities (14 types), including wedding halls and funeral halls, will be limited to fewer than 100 people.

For religious activities, regular worship services, masses, Buddhist ceremonies, and memorial services can be attended by up to 20% of seating capacity, but gatherings and meals hosted by religious facilities are prohibited.

A Jeollanam-do official said, “We will strengthen quarantine measures to quickly block the spread in the local community and ensure that students who have been focusing on their studies for a long time can take the CSAT in a safe and secure environment,” adding, “Please wear masks at all times and practice social distancing by minimizing contact between people.”

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