"Please Follow Quarantine Rules" Traveling and Gathering... Self-Employed Business Owners' 'Frustration'

Partial Increase in Social Distancing Levels from Next Month 1st
Sauna Suspended, Hotel and Party Room Events Prohibited
Economic Impact on Self-Employed and Small Business Owners Unavoidable
Citizens Express Frustration: "Because of Some Selfish People"
Experts Urge "Consider the Consequences of One's Own Actions"

On the 29th, the domestic terminal of Gimpo International Airport in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, is bustling with passengers preparing to depart. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy reporters Seunggon Han and Seulgi Kim] Economic damage to industries subject to business restrictions due to the impact of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) has become inevitable. As a result, criticism has arisen that some self-employed business owners are suffering because of certain citizens who do not follow social distancing guidelines.

On the 29th, the government held a meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) and announced that it would raise the social distancing level to Level 2 in areas with severe infection situations such as Busan, Gangwon Yeongseo, Gyeongnam, Chungnam, and Jeonbuk. Additionally, for the metropolitan area where Level 2 is already applied, the current Level 2 will be maintained, but a strong 'pinpoint quarantine' plan will be implemented for facilities with infection concerns.

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun explained at the meeting, "Rather than a uniform approach, we aim to minimize damage to the daily lives of the people through tailored 'precision quarantine' while achieving all the effects of quarantine." Accordingly, the number of industries subject to business restrictions will increase from the current level, making economic damage to self-employed business owners and small business owners working in those industries inevitable.

According to the social distancing policy, from the 1st of next month, the operation of sauna and hanjeungmak facilities (sweat rooms) will be suspended, and facilities offering intense 'GX' (Group Exercise) activities such as Zumba, Tae Bo, spinning, aerobics, step, and kickboxing must completely close under a 'gathering ban' order.

Furthermore, wind instrument and singing lessons conducted at academies, private institutes, and cultural centers will be prohibited, considering the high possibility of droplet (saliva) generation and the difficulty for students and instructors to wear masks. However, lessons for university entrance exams in the 2021 academic year are exempted in consideration of the university entrance schedule.

Operation of complex convenience facilities such as gyms, saunas, cafes, and reading rooms within apartment and multi-family housing complexes will also be suspended.

Last weekend, dozens of posts with hashtags such as #WeekendTrip and #JejuTrip were uploaded on social networking services (SNS).
Photo by Instagram capture

In addition, to prevent the spread of infection mainly among young people, year-end and New Year events or parties hosted at lodging facilities such as hotels, party rooms, and guesthouses are all prohibited.

Given this situation, sharp criticism has arisen toward some citizens who do not follow social distancing guidelines. Although the government appealed for a week to stop routine social activities with the mindset of exam-taking students' parents until the 2021 College Scholastic Ability Test scheduled for the 3rd of next month, these appeals have been ignored, and quarantine rules are not being followed.

On the weekend of the 28th and 29th, dozens of posts that did not comply with social distancing guidelines, such as 'hotel vacation' and 'travel certification shots,' were posted on Instagram and other social media. Some citizens in the photos were seen not wearing masks properly, holding them in their hands, or gathering in groups to eat, violating quarantine guidelines.

University student Shin Minji (23, pseudonym) said, "I spent the weekend at home after seeing the quarantine authorities' appeal to stay home all weekend. But when I looked at Instagram, there were so many people who went on trips to Jeju Island and Yeosu." She added, "Who wouldn't want to go out and have fun? Although I didn't show it outwardly, seeing posts from friends who went out on the weekend made me decide to 'keep my distance,'" expressing frustration.

On the 29th, the domestic terminal of Gimpo International Airport in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, was busy with travelers departing for trips.

Park Su-cheol (41, pseudonym), a self-employed caf? owner in Seoul, said, "Since social distancing was raised, customers have drastically decreased because they cannot sit and drink coffee in the store. But seeing the airport crowded with people on the news breaks my heart." He appealed, "If social distancing prolongs, the ones who will ultimately suffer are self-employed people like us. Everyone is struggling as COVID-19 continues, but there are too many selfish people. I hope they follow the quarantine rules well."

On the 22nd, when social distancing level 2 was in effect, a sign reading "Social Distancing" was placed at a coffee shop in Hadong-eup, Hadong-gun, Gyeongnam. [Image source=Yonhap News]

According to quarantine authorities, citizens' mobility increased by about 30% compared to Level 2 social distancing in August.

According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters on the 25th, the nationwide mobility during the weekend of the 21st and 22nd was recorded at 65,869,000 cases. The metropolitan area accounted for 32,135,000 cases, and non-metropolitan areas accounted for 33,734,000 cases.

Compared to the weekend of October 10-11, just before the adjustment to Level 1 social distancing, nationwide mobility decreased by 3.9% (2,662,000 cases), and the metropolitan area decreased by 2.8% (913,000 cases). However, compared to the metropolitan area mobility during the Level 2 social distancing period in August, which decreased to 25,043,000 cases, mobility is currently 28.3% (7,092,000 cases) higher.

Experts expressed concern that groups who comply well with quarantine rules may feel relative deprivation due to the behavior of others. They also urged careful behavior considering the economic damage to self-employed business owners caused by some irresponsible leisure activities.

Professor Kwak Geum-ju of the Department of Psychology at Seoul National University said, "As COVID-19 prolongs and the uncertain reality continues, people tend to show complacency toward social distancing." She pointed out, "As the number of citizens not following quarantine guidelines increases, those who comply well with government recommendations may feel relative deprivation."

She emphasized, "It is necessary to be more cautious by considering the derivative consequences such as the economic damage to self-employed business owners, rather than acting only based on personal feelings or self-interest."

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