Seoul-Gyeonggi, 'Ban on Gatherings of 5 or More' Starting as Early as the 23rd

On the 14th, when the social distancing level, which had been strengthened due to the resurgence of COVID-19, was lowered to level 2, a restaurant owner in Seoul was preparing for business. Following the government's adjustment to social distancing level 2, franchise cafes, bakeries, and bingsu shops will be able to allow customers to sit and use the premises as before. General restaurants, snack bars, and bakeries, which were only allowed takeout and delivery after 9 p.m., will now be able to serve food inside the store regardless of the time. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] To curb the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), the Seoul Metropolitan Government is expected to issue an administrative order banning gatherings of five or more people as early as the 23rd of this month.

According to Seoul City on the 21st, the city is coordinating this plan with Gyeonggi Province and the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, and will announce the final decision on whether to implement it and the specific measures this afternoon.

The ban on gatherings of five or more people is a stronger measure than the 'ban on gatherings of 10 or more people' applied at social distancing level 3. If implemented, only gatherings of four or fewer people will be allowed, regardless of whether indoors or outdoors.

The period for the administrative order is still under discussion between Gyeonggi Province, Seoul City, and health authorities, with the earliest start being 0:00 on the 23rd of this month and possibly lasting until 24:00 on the 3rd of next month.

This measure is interpreted as a response to the judgment that without special measures during the year-end season, when gatherings and movement increase significantly and the risk of infectious disease transmission is very high, the spread of COVID-19 in the metropolitan area could escalate into a catastrophe.

Earlier, on the 17th, Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung stated via social media that he is considering issuing an administrative order banning gatherings of five or more people and will consult with metropolitan area local governments to coordinate efforts.

The government also explained that it is discussing measures that can be implemented separately from raising social distancing to level 3, such as banning gatherings of five or more people, prohibiting dining inside restaurants and cafes and switching to takeout only, and banning gatherings in stores unrelated to essential goods.

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