Social Distancing Level Up Imminent... What Changes If 'Level 2' Is Raised?

Recommendation to minimize unnecessary outings, gatherings, and use of multi-use facilities
Closure of clubs, danranjumeon, gamseongjumeon, colatec, hunting pocha, etc.
Ban on gatherings and events of 100 or more people

[Asia Economy Reporter Nah Han-ah] As the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) shows no signs of slowing down, the government is considering raising social distancing to Level 2 in the metropolitan area and other regions, drawing attention to the Level 2 quarantine guidelines.

On the 21st, Lim Sook-young, the Situation General Manager of the Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH), stated at a regular briefing, "We are seriously reviewing the possibility of raising to Level 2 internally," adding, "If necessary, we will also consider proactive measures by comprehensively judging criteria different from the step (upgrade) standards."

The social distancing measures, which were previously divided into levels 1 to 3, will be further subdivided into a total of 5 levels with the addition of levels 1.5 and 2.5. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

The upgrade to Level 2 social distancing is applied when one or more of the following conditions are met: 'a more than twofold increase compared to the Level 1.5 standard,' 'sustained outbreaks in two or more regions,' or 'more than 300 cases nationwide.'

According to the CDCH, the average daily number of locally transmitted confirmed cases over the past week (November 15?21) was 175.1 in the metropolitan area and 16.4 in Gangwon Province. Both regions currently fall within the Level 1.5 range (100 or more in the metropolitan area, 10 or more in Gangwon), but considering the spread, they are gradually moving toward Level 2.

If raised to Level 2, minimizing unnecessary outings, gatherings, and use of multi-use facilities is recommended.

However, among the nine types of high-risk facilities, five types including clubs, room salons, karaoke bars, colatecs, and hunting pochas will be subject to a business suspension order, effectively banning gatherings.

Restrictions will be strengthened for other facilities, including suspension of operations. Cafes will only be allowed to offer takeout and delivery regardless of business hours. Restaurants may operate normally until evening but only takeout and delivery are allowed after 9 p.m. In addition to direct sales promotion centers (restricted from Level 1.5), indoor standing performance venues and karaoke rooms will also cease operations after 9 p.m.

For karaoke rooms, current Level 1.5 rules such as 'one person per 4㎡ (1.21 pyeong)' and 'using the room 30 minutes after disinfection' will remain in effect.

Among the 14 types of general management facilities, those located in high-risk areas will face expanded capacity limits, and food consumption will be prohibited except in some places like wedding halls and funeral homes. Activities with a high risk of COVID-19 infection will also be banned. For wedding halls and funeral homes, the capacity limit is one person per 4㎡ at Level 1.5, but at Level 2, it is strictly limited to fewer than 100 people.

In movie theaters and performance halls, measures such as leaving one seat empty between attendees and banning food consumption will be enforced. The same applies to PC rooms, but if partitions are installed, seats do not need to be spaced apart, and individual food consumption within partitions is allowed.

Arcades, multi-rooms, and bathhouses will prohibit food consumption entirely and limit occupancy to one person per 8㎡ (approximately 2.4 pyeong). Indoor sports facilities will also ban food consumption and cease operations after 9 p.m.

Academies, private institutes, and vocational training centers must choose and comply with one of two options: 'one person per 8㎡ or leaving two seats empty' or 'one person per 4㎡ or leaving one seat empty,' along with 'ceasing operations after 9 p.m.'

Reading rooms and study cafes must leave one seat empty (except where partitions exist), limit group rooms to half their usual capacity, and cease operations after 9 p.m.

Amusement parks and water parks can accommodate up to half their capacity at Level 1.5, but only one-third at Level 2.

In stores, marts, and department stores (general retail over 300㎡), mask-wearing, ventilation, and disinfection obligations remain the same at Level 2 as at Level 1.5. The suspension of operations after 9 p.m. applies from Level 2.5 onwards.

Gatherings and events of 100 or more people are prohibited. However, exhibitions, fairs, and international conferences are exempt from the '100-person limit' considering their essential industrial and economic roles, but capacity is limited to one person per 4㎡. Spectator capacity at sports events is limited to 10%, and individual food consumption is prohibited inside transportation vehicles.

School classes should maintain a density of about one-third (two-thirds for high schools), but may operate up to two-thirds considering academic management. However, if local education offices adjust density, prior consultation with local quarantine authorities and the Ministry of Education is required.

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