Ban on Business After 9 PM, Could It Be Lifted Before Seollal? (Update)

On the 2nd, a gym in Seoul is protesting the government's COVID-19 quarantine guidelines by not operating after 9 p.m. and keeping the lights on as an open protest.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] The government will soon announce its decision after reviewing whether to ease some quarantine measures this week.

Yoon Tae-ho, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters' quarantine team, said at the regular briefing of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters on the 3rd, "Even before the Lunar New Year holiday, we plan to evaluate the situation this week and review whether some of the overly strict measures can be eased during this week," adding, "If such measures are to be applied next week, guidance will be provided over the weekend."

The government extended the current social distancing measures (Level 2.5 in the metropolitan area, Level 2 in non-metropolitan areas) and the ban on private gatherings of five or more people for two weeks until the 14th. However, it stated that restrictions on operating hours after 9 p.m. for some facilities will be re-evaluated after monitoring the epidemic situation for one week.

As of midnight on the day, confirmed cases increased to 467, rising to the 400s for the first time in four days. The nationwide weekly average of locally transmitted cases was 383.3, down 11.9 from the previous day. This is below the Level 2.5 social distancing standard (weekly average of 400?500 cases).

However, Yoon Tae-ho explained, "We believe it is necessary to observe the trend a little longer." He said, "Due to the nature of COVID-19 outbreaks, the number of patients increases when cluster infections occur and decreases again once controlled. Yesterday, cluster infections occurred at meat processing companies and other places, and continuous infections have been reported in existing cases, which are likely reflected in the increase in patient numbers."

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