Jeju-style Social Distancing Level 2 Extended for 2 Weeks... Targeted Easing for Some Industries

Ban on Private Gatherings of 5 or More, Restaurants and Cafes Allowed Only Takeout and Delivery After 9 PM for 2 More Weeks
Golf Courses Allow '5 People Including Caddies' with Entry Log Management via Safe Code... Shower Rooms and Locker Rooms Prohibi

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters (Jeju) Reporter Park Chang-won] Jeju-style social distancing level 2 will be extended for two more weeks.

On the 16th, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province announced that the strengthened Jeju-style social distancing level 2, which has been in effect since December 18, will be extended for two more weeks and applied until midnight on the 31st.

The 7-day average daily confirmed cases in Jeju, a key indicator of social distancing, stands at 2.28, which does not reach the level 1 key indicator (5 or more), and overall new confirmed cases are decreasing. However, since sporadic community infections continue nationwide through personal contact and nursing hospitals, it is judged that it cannot be taken lightly.

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters is also extending level 2 distancing in non-metropolitan areas due to the high transmissibility in winter.

This consideration was made because easing quarantine measures could lower vigilance against infectious diseases and potentially lead to a resurgence.

In several meetings held regarding the extension of Jeju-style social distancing level 2, while sharing field situations and related trends by sector, public opinion ultimately formed that prioritizing fairness with other regions and preventing infection spread due to the balloon effect is urgent.

Due to the surge in confirmed cases in the province caused by the third wave of COVID-19, Jeju raised the level to 1.5 on December 4, then escalated to level 2 from midnight on the 18th, and maintained the strengthened level 2 social distancing as of January 2.

Accordingly, the existing Jeju-style social distancing level 2 measures such as ▲ban on private gatherings of five or more ▲mandatory mask-wearing ▲restaurants and cafes only allowing takeout and delivery after 9 p.m. will be maintained until midnight on the 31st.

The nationwide ban on private gatherings of five or more people (prohibiting reservations or entry with five or more people in multi-use facilities) will also be applied equally in Jeju.

As before, restaurants and cafes will only be allowed to offer takeout and delivery after 9 p.m.

While cafes in other regions have been allowed dine-in service since the 18th, Jeju has permitted in-store dining at cafes even under level 2, so no major confusion is expected on-site.

The ban on food provision at wedding halls and funeral homes will also remain in effect.

Restrictions on reservations at accommodations such as resorts, hotels, guesthouses, and rural homestays (limited to two-thirds of total rooms) will also be extended as is.

However, as the social distancing period has been somewhat prolonged due to the prolonged COVID-19 situation, an evaluation of risk characteristics by multi-use facility type has led to some easing of quarantine regulations for certain facilities.

Accordingly, golf courses in Jeju, which previously allowed only 'caddy + 3 players' or '4 players without a caddy,' will now permit play with five people including a caddy. However, locker room and shower use will remain prohibited.

The ban on bathhouse operations will be lifted. Shower rooms and cold/hot baths will be available, but operation of internal convenience stores, saunas, jjimjilbangs (Korean spas), and food consumption will still be prohibited.

Especially since sauna-related chain infections occurred in Jeju, the provincial quarantine authorities plan to conduct focused inspections on compliance with quarantine rules, and any violations will be subject to a strict one-strike-out policy without exceptions.

Additionally, movie theaters and performance halls will be allowed to operate after 9 p.m.

PC rooms will be allowed individual food consumption within partitions, provided partitions are installed.

For kids cafes, if dining and cafe facilities are separately partitioned from the kids cafe, food consumption within those auxiliary facilities will be permitted.

All multi-use facilities, including those with eased restrictions, must strictly comply with core quarantine rules such as maintaining visitor logs through Jeju Safe Code, mask-wearing by users and staff, and ventilation and disinfection at least twice daily.

Won Hee-ryong, Governor of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, held a joint COVID-19 briefing at 11:30 a.m. on the 16th, stating, “If quarantine rules collapse while infections continue, it could lead to an uncontrollable situation,” and earnestly requested, “We sincerely ask for the understanding and cooperation of all residents.”

He added, “It is no exaggeration to say that Korea’s COVID-19 quarantine has been achieved through the sacrifices of self-employed people and the tourism industry,” and “In addition to government support, the province is preparing additional support measures to help industries and groups suffering greatly from gathering restrictions and bans survive.”

Regarding religious facilities, regular worship services, masses, Buddhist ceremonies, and memorial services will be allowed with restrictions up to 20% of seating capacity.

Prohibitions on meal provision, lodging, and small group gatherings organized by religious facilities will continue to be applied as per current policies.

Jeju Province plans to announce related information on the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Situation Room website so residents can easily check the Jeju-style social distancing level 2 measures.

Furthermore, when official guidelines from the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters for nationwide expansion are established, Jeju will review and incorporate them as needed.

To ensure the effectiveness of this social distancing extension, Jeju Province will also conduct focused guidance and inspections by relevant departments for each industry.

Jeju operates joint inspection teams and on-site mobile inspection teams with autonomous police, national police, provincial, administrative city, and eup/myeon/dong offices to prepare for suspected reports of gatherings of five or more people regardless of location.

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