No Year-End Performances or Services... Even Santa Works from Home

2.5-Level Social Distancing in Seoul Metropolitan Area Until 28th
Christmas Events at Accommodation Facilities Suspended
Hymns Prohibited... Installation of Sculptures Discouraged

Only Half of KTX and Other Transport Tickets Booked
Midnight Movies on Christmas Eve Also Not Allowed

On the 7th, a day before the government’s implementation of raising the social distancing level to 2.5 in the Seoul metropolitan area, the food court at COEX Mall in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, was less crowded than usual. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporters Kim Heung-soon, Cho Hyun-ui] "It looks like I will have to spend Christmas alone at home this year."

Office worker Choi Eun-kyung (32, female) is feeling unsettled as her plans for Christmas this year have fallen apart. Every year at the end of the year, she held year-end parties with friends by attending classical concerts or musicals, but this year, due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) and the strengthening of social distancing measures, the tickets she had booked for performances around Christmas were canceled. Choi said, "I received a cancellation notice via text message and hurriedly looked for other plans, but most of the facilities available under the distancing guidelines were already fully booked."

◆Movies and Performances Canceled, Churches Also Closed= As the daily number of COVID-19 cases stubbornly remained in the 500-600 range, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters raised the social distancing level in the metropolitan area to 2.5 from midnight on the 8th until midnight on the 28th, a period that includes Christmas. During this time, places densely packed with entertainment and cultural facilities will see no crowds, and all events that could evoke the Christmas atmosphere will be suspended. Date spots such as movie theaters, cafes, and franchise restaurants will either be closed at night or have restricted access. Lovers and friends who were looking forward to Christmas Eve are greatly disappointed. University student Yoo Seung-hyun (25) lamented, "I was planning to watch a late-night movie at a nearby theater, but since operations stop after 9 p.m., there is nowhere to go."

Yang Jung-woo (45), a member of a large church in Seoul, who attended Christmas services with his family every year, is now unsure how to plan this year. In the metropolitan area, churches and cathedrals will operate under a non-face-to-face principle on Christmas, and only small religious facilities with fewer than 20 participants can hold in-person services or masses. However, since singing is considered a high-risk activity, singing hymns in enclosed spaces should be avoided. Meals and gatherings among church members are also prohibited. Yang said, "Every year, I exchanged Christmas greetings and small gifts with other church members and felt the Christmas spirit, but this year, I think we will have to replace it with non-face-to-face services, which feels unfamiliar and heavy on my heart."

◆No Places to Gather in Small Groups= Year-end parties, alumni meetings, family gatherings, and various events are expected to take a break this year. Gatherings and events of more than 50 people are banned, and appointments of more than 10 people are recommended to be canceled. Parties and events hosted at accommodations such as hotels, guesthouses, and party rooms are completely prohibited regardless of the number of participants. A hotel industry official said, "Every year, we installed sculptures and operated markets and experience events to celebrate Christmas, but this year, we may have to downsize or cancel everything," adding, "Meals for Christmas guests will be replaced with lunch boxes to minimize outside activities."

Except for airplanes, transportation facilities such as KTX and express buses are recommended to limit bookings to within 50%, aiming to reduce travel to other regions. Additionally, entertainment facilities and karaoke rooms, which are popular with visitors at the end of the year, will all cease operations. To watch musicals and concerts, seats in the venue must be spaced two seats apart. Sports events will be held without spectators.

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