Jeon Hae-cheol: "New confirmed cases decrease to 200s... Decision on extending business hours in the Seoul metropolitan area after Lunar New Year"

Operating hours of some multi-use facilities in non-metropolitan areas extended by 1 hour from 9 PM to 10 PM starting the 8th
"Government preparing for social distancing level adjustments after Lunar New Year holidays"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters announced that the number of COVID-19 confirmed cases has decreased to the 200s, and that they will monitor the COVID-19 situation during the week following the Lunar New Year holiday to decide whether to extend business hours.

Jeon Hae-cheol, the 2nd Deputy Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety), said in a morning statement on the 8th, "It is a fortunate situation that the number of COVID-19 confirmed cases has decreased to the 200s," and added, "From today, the business hours of some multi-use facilities in non-metropolitan areas will be extended by one hour, from 9 PM to 10 PM."

He also stated that they will carefully review the COVID-19 situation to decide on the extension of business hours after the Lunar New Year holiday. He explained, "In the metropolitan area, we will closely examine the COVID-19 occurrence situation during the week following the Lunar New Year holiday to decide whether to extend business hours," and added, "Furthermore, the government is preparing matters related to the adjustment of the new social distancing levels to be applied from next week after the Lunar New Year holiday."

He continued, "Through public forums involving industry representatives, experts, and civil society representatives, we will comprehensively review matters related to level adjustments and improvements to quarantine rules, and prepare reasonable measures that balance quarantine and the livelihood economy."

He also reiterated requests regarding compliance with business hours and the ban on private gatherings of five or more people during the Lunar New Year holiday period. Deputy Head Jeon emphasized, "The key to this social distancing level adjustment depends on the level of infection spread suppression during the Lunar New Year holiday, so the cooperation of the public is crucial," and urged, "I ask everyone to thoroughly follow quarantine measures until the moment the Lunar New Year holiday ends."

He added, "Government ministries should carefully monitor quarantine situations related to facilities and personnel in their respective areas, such as processing and distribution facilities and correctional facilities," and requested, "Local governments should conduct thorough on-site inspections of quarantine."

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