"‘Fairness Controversy’ Fast Food Chains Allow Packaging and Delivery Only for Beverage Orders (Update)"

Image source=Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] As the current social distancing measures (Level 2.5 in the Seoul metropolitan area and Level 2 in non-metropolitan areas) are scheduled to end on the 28th, the government has decided to extend them for six days until January 3rd next year. Along with this, fast food restaurants will only be allowed to offer takeout and delivery for beverage orders.

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) decided at its meeting on the afternoon of the 27th that fast food restaurants will be treated the same as bakery cafes and brunch cafes, allowing only takeout and delivery for coffee, beverages, and desserts. This rule will also apply equally in non-metropolitan areas where Level 2 measures are in effect.

Previously, as social distancing levels were raised in both metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas, cafes were restricted to takeout and delivery only regardless of operating hours. However, fast food restaurants were exempt from this guideline, causing controversy over fairness.

Additionally, the CDSCH decided at the same meeting to expand the ban on seating inside unmanned cafes and the prohibition of gatherings at hold'em pubs, which had been applied only in the metropolitan area, to the entire country.

In non-metropolitan areas, under Level 2 measures, operations of five types of entertainment facilities are suspended, and karaoke rooms, indoor standing concert venues, and direct sales promotion centers such as door-to-door sales are prohibited from operating after 9 p.m. Due to the ban on gatherings and events of 100 or more people, wedding halls and funeral homes are limited to fewer than 100 attendees. However, local governments may adjust quarantine measures according to the situation.

Meanwhile, the CDSCH stated that it will monitor patient trends and healthcare system capacity through this week and comprehensively review the social distancing levels after January 3rd next year, when the strengthened year-end and New Year quarantine measures are scheduled to end.

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