Current Social Distancing Extended Until the 17th... "Step 3 Deferred Considering Impact on the Common Economy" (Comprehensive)

Metropolitan Area Level 2.5, Non-Metropolitan Area Level 2, and Year-End Special Measures Continue

Kwon Deok-cheol, the 1st Deputy Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Minister of Health and Welfare), announced on the morning of the 2nd at the Government Seoul Office that the 'Social Distancing' Level 2.5 in the metropolitan area and Level 2 measures in non-metropolitan areas will be extended for two more weeks until the 17th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Heungsun Kim and Hyunui Cho] The government has decided to extend the current social distancing measures in the metropolitan area at level 2.5 and in non-metropolitan areas at level 2 for two more weeks until the 17th, which were originally scheduled to end on the 3rd. Considering the somewhat slowing trend in domestic COVID-19 confirmed cases and the impact on the everyday economy, the government has decided to postpone the highest level 3 escalation. Instead, the special year-end and New Year quarantine strengthening measures, such as banning small gatherings and restricting the operation of accommodation and leisure facilities, will also be maintained for another two weeks.

Ban on Private Gatherings of Five or More Expanded Nationwide

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH) announced this adjustment plan for social distancing during a regular briefing on the 2nd. Kwon Deok-cheol, the first deputy head of CDSCH (Minister of Health and Welfare), explained, "Since the current quarantine and medical response capabilities are being maintained and considering the shock to the everyday economy, we have decided to postpone the escalation to level 3, which involves bans on gatherings in multi-use facilities. We have decided to focus social distancing efforts over the next two weeks on minimizing private gatherings and contacts, which are analyzed as the main causes of the current spread." Temporary screening clinics set up in the metropolitan area will also extend their operation for two more weeks.

Along with extending the special year-end and New Year quarantine strengthening measures, the ban on private gatherings of five or more people, which was applied only in the metropolitan area, will be expanded nationwide. Private gatherings include alumni meetings, club meetings, picnics, workplace dinners, savings clubs, housewarmings, New Year and year-end parties, first birthday parties, 60th and 70th birthday celebrations, and regular meetings of online cafes. However, families living in the same residence or gatherings for caregiving purposes such as for children, elderly, or disabled persons, or when a family member is terminally ill, are allowed to meet even if there are five or more people. Gatherings of five or more people inside restaurants are also still prohibited.

Regarding religious facilities, the level 2.5 measures will be applied nationwide, and regular worship services, masses, Buddhist ceremonies, and memorial services must be conducted online. Meetings and meals hosted by religious facilities are also prohibited. Meetings and events such as briefings and public hearings cannot be held with 50 or more people in the metropolitan area where level 2.5 applies. Among multi-use facilities, the operation of five types of entertainment establishments?nightclubs, karaoke bars, emotional pubs, colatecs, and hunting pubs?will be suspended, along with direct sales promotion centers such as door-to-door sales, singing rooms, indoor standing concert halls, and indoor sports facilities. Indoor sports facilities include gyms, indoor golf practice ranges, and billiard halls.

Most general management facilities such as large marts, department stores, movie theaters, PC rooms, beauty salons, arcades, and amusement parks must close after 9 p.m. Tasting is also prohibited in stores, marts, and department stores. Cafes are only allowed to offer takeout and delivery regardless of business hours, and restaurants are only allowed to provide takeout and delivery after 9 p.m.

Source=Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters

Limited Operation Allowed for Academies and Ski Resorts
"Last Hurdle Until Vaccine and Therapeutics Utilization"

In the metropolitan area, academies and private tutoring centers, which were previously prohibited from operating under the current social distancing level, are now allowed to operate if the number of students receiving lessons at the same time is nine or fewer. However, operating dormitories or other accommodation facilities within academies is prohibited. Ski resorts, sledding hills, and ice rinks, which were prohibited from operating during the special year-end and New Year quarantine strengthening period, are now allowed to operate with capacity limited to one-third, but must close after 9 p.m. Ancillary facilities such as restaurants, cafes, and arcades, except for equipment rental facilities and changing rooms, must close, and eating inside the facilities is prohibited. Shuttle bus services between ski resorts and other regions are also suspended.

Reservations at accommodation facilities nationwide, including hotels, resorts, and guesthouses, are limited to two-thirds of total rooms. This is a slight increase from the previous 50% capacity limit. Hosting private parties at accommodation facilities is strongly discouraged, and year-end and New Year events or parties organized by accommodation facilities are prohibited. Additionally, operation of enclosed outdoor screen golf courses is banned. This measure was added following concerns that many gatherings with food and drink take place at these golf courses.

In non-metropolitan areas, under level 2 measures, the operation of the five types of entertainment facilities is suspended, and singing rooms, indoor standing concert halls, and direct sales promotion centers are prohibited from operating after 9 p.m. Due to the ban on gatherings and events of 100 or more people, the number of attendees at wedding halls and funeral homes is limited to fewer than 100. Convenience facilities within apartment complexes and cultural and educational classes at community centers are also suspended in non-metropolitan areas.

Deputy Head Kwon said, "Although the daily number of confirmed cases has fluctuated around the 1,000 mark recently, the rate of increase is slowing, and the infection reproduction number is approaching 1, indicating that the effects of social distancing and special quarantine measures are slow but clearly visible. If we overcome this last hurdle well, we will be able to enter a stage of gradually restoring our precious daily lives by utilizing vaccinations and therapeutics."

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