[Q&A] Metropolitan Area Academy Gathering Ban... Store and Mart Sampling Ban

College entrance exam tutoring allowed... Christmas worship also to be held online

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] Due to the '3rd wave' of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), social distancing in the Seoul metropolitan area will be raised to Level 2.5 from the 8th of this month, and non-metropolitan areas will be raised to Level 2 simultaneously. The application period is from 0:00 on the 8th (Tuesday) to 24:00 on the 28th (Monday) of this month, lasting for three weeks.

We have summarized the questions and answers regarding the increase in social distancing levels.

Q. What are the newly added gathering bans starting from the 8th of this month?

A. Under the current Level 2 social distancing, among the nine types of key management facilities, five types of entertainment facilities including nightclubs, karaoke bars, emotional pubs, colatecs, and hunting pubs are banned from operating. However, at Level 2.5, additional facilities such as academies, door-to-door sales promotion centers, singing practice rooms, indoor standing concert halls, and indoor sports facilities will also be banned from gathering.

Q. Academies (including private tutoring centers) were not subject to gathering bans under the previous social distancing system at Level 2.5. Why were they added?

A. Considering the ongoing spread of infection mainly among young adults, experts and the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency have expressed that the risk of infection is high. Reflecting these opinions, academies in the metropolitan area have been entirely banned from gathering. However, tutoring for university entrance exams for the 2021 academic year is allowed. Also, vocational competency development training courses contracted or recognized by the Minister of Employment and Labor are permitted.

Q. What if university entrance exam students and other grades are mixed in the same academy?

A. If high school seniors preparing for university entrance exams and repeaters attend the academy together with other grades, the tutoring for other grades is prohibited. Only high school seniors and repeaters preparing for the 2021 university entrance exams are allowed. Local education offices will continuously inspect academies.

Q. Indoor sports facilities will also be closed. Please provide details.

A. All indoor operating facilities regulated under the current Sports Facilities Installation and Use Act are included. This includes gyms, screen golf courses, billiard halls, badminton courts, bowling alleys, swimming pools, martial arts academies and dojos, squash courts, aerobics studios, sports dojos, table tennis halls, tennis courts, yoga academies, Pilates, soccer classes, screen baseball fields, and jump rope areas. Additionally, local governments may expand the designated facilities further.

Q. What changes will there be for restaurants and cafes?

A. As with Level 2, cafes are only allowed to operate for takeout and delivery regardless of business hours. Restaurants are only allowed takeout and delivery from 9 PM to 5 AM the next day. For buffets, users must use hand sanitizer or disposable gloves before and after using shared tongs, plates, and spoons, and maintain distance while waiting to serve food.

Q. Will work-from-home be strengthened?

A. Public institutions are recommended to have at least one-third of their staff work from home and actively use staggered lunch hours, while refraining from gatherings and dinners. However, institutions (personnel) performing duties related to public safety, national defense, diplomacy, firefighting, postal services, quarantine, broadcasting, industrial safety, and COVID-19 support, or handling sensitive personal information, are excluded. Private companies are also recommended to have at least one-third of their staff work from home, excluding essential personnel.

Q. Marts, stores, and department stores will cease operations after 9 PM. Does this include convenience stores?

A. The places subject to closure after 9 PM are general retail businesses classified under the Korean Standard Industrial Classification, with stores larger than 300㎡. Convenience stores are generally included in general retail businesses, but only those with stores larger than 300㎡ are subject to closure. Marts, stores, and department stores are also prohibited from operating tasting corners.

Q. Wedding halls are limited to fewer than 50 people. Is it possible to divide the space into sections of 49 people each?

A. For the ban on gatherings of 50 or more, gatherings are allowed in spaces divided into sections of up to 49 people. Assuming the space is separated, weddings can be held with up to 49 people in each divided area. However, considering the current very serious risk, even for gatherings under 50 people, we ask for cooperation in taking measures to protect yourself and those around you as much as possible.

Q. Are Christmas services also prohibited?

A. Yes. Worship services, Buddhist ceremonies, masses, and memorial services should be conducted online in principle (with up to 20 participants), and gatherings or meals hosted by religious facilities are prohibited.

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