Prime Minister Jeong: "Raising Social Distancing in the Capital Area to Level 2.5... Reviewing Level Adjustments for Non-Capital Areas" (Comprehensive)

Implemented for 3 weeks until the end of the year considering severity... Urging public participation in 'Participatory Quarantine'
Additional closure of singing rooms and indoor sports facilities beyond 5 types of entertainment venues in the metropolitan area
Stores, marts, department stores, cinemas, PC rooms, etc. must close after 9 PM
Discussion on strengthening quarantine measures including phase adjustments for areas outside the metropolitan area

Prime Minister Jeong Sye-kyun (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwangho Lee] Due to the third wave of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), the government has decided to raise the social distancing level in the Seoul metropolitan area higher than before. This adjustment will be implemented for three weeks until the end of the year, considering the seriousness of the situation.

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun announced at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting held at Seoul City Hall on the 6th, "The cumulative number of confirmed cases in Seoul has surpassed 10,000, and the situation in the metropolitan area is serious," adding, "We will raise the social distancing level in the metropolitan area to level 2.5."

About 70% of domestic confirmed cases in the past week have come from the metropolitan area, and on this day, a record high of 470 cases was recorded.

Prime Minister Chung explained, "We will discuss and decide on strengthening quarantine measures, including adjusting levels, for regions outside the metropolitan area as well."

He added, "Considering the seriousness of the current epidemic trend, the government intends to implement this level adjustment for three weeks until the end of the year. Local governments should base their actions on the decided social distancing level but actively take additional measures suitable for their regional situations."

He continued, "With these strengthened quarantine measures, in the metropolitan area, in addition to the existing five types of entertainment facilities, karaoke rooms and indoor sports facilities will also be suspended. Facilities closely related to daily life, such as stores, marts, department stores, movie theaters, and PC rooms, must close after 9 p.m."

Furthermore, he added, "Regions outside the metropolitan area will also face greater difficulties in daily life."

Prime Minister Chung said, "As the head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, I feel very heavy-hearted thinking about the inconveniences and restrictions most citizens will experience in their daily lives, and the economic and mental suffering countless small business owners and self-employed people must endure again. However, I ask for your understanding that only by overcoming the current crisis can we regain peaceful daily life as soon as possible."

In conclusion, Prime Minister Chung urged, "If 'participatory quarantine,' where all citizens practice voluntarily, is not supported, this will be a difficult and tedious battle. Please wear masks anytime and anywhere, and thoroughly follow personal hygiene rules such as handwashing. Minimize movement and visits unless absolutely necessary, and refrain from gatherings and meetings with others for the time being."

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