Nationwide Social Distancing Lowered... Metropolitan Area Business Restrictions Eased to 10 PM (Comprehensive)

Social Distancing Eased to Level 2 in Seoul Metropolitan Area and Level 1.5 in Non-Metropolitan Areas

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] The government has lowered the social distancing quarantine measures effective from the 15th to Level 2 in the metropolitan area and Level 1.5 in non-metropolitan areas. The ban on private gatherings of five or more people remains in place, but gatherings are allowed for immediate family members.

On the 13th, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters made this decision after evaluating the recent quarantine management situation and risk level. According to the authorities, the average daily domestic cases over the past week (February 7?13) were 353.1, with 281.6 cases recorded in the metropolitan area. This measure will be maintained for two weeks from 0:00 on the 15th until the 28th of this month, and local governments may raise the level to Level 2 depending on the quarantine situation.

Kwon Deok-cheol, the first head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, said at the regular briefing that "Overall, non-metropolitan areas are maintaining a stable downward trend, while the metropolitan area’s decline has stalled," and added, "The metropolitan area meets the criteria for Level 2, and non-metropolitan areas meet the criteria for Level 1."

However, considering the risks that may arise from this easing measure, quarantine management based on the autonomy and responsibility of operators and users of multi-use facilities will be strengthened. Associations and organizations will operate autonomous quarantine rule compliance inspections and monitoring systems, and local governments will impose a two-week ban on gatherings (administrative orders) on businesses that violate these rules, in addition to fines. Claims for damages against managers and users who violate quarantine rules will also be strengthened.

Son Young-rae, head of the Social Strategy Division of the Central Accident Response Headquarters, said, "Currently, the criteria for Level 2 in the metropolitan area and Level 1.5 or below in non-metropolitan areas have been met for more than two weeks, and considering the increasing burden on the livelihood economy, which is facing many difficulties, the decision was made to lower the levels. Nevertheless, risks remain, especially since the decline in infections in the metropolitan area has stalled. Therefore, the public and workers in livelihood facilities must cooperate to manage the situation stably," he urged.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Metropolitan Area: Restaurants and Cafes Operate Until 10 PM... Restrictions Lifted on Academies and Large Marts

With this level adjustment, operating hour restrictions for multi-use facilities (approximately 480,000 locations) such as movie theaters, PC rooms, arcades, academies, study rooms, amusement parks, beauty salons, and large marts in the metropolitan area will be lifted. Additionally, the operating hours restriction for restaurants and cafes, previously limited to 9 PM, will be extended by one hour to 10 PM. Dine-in service at restaurants and cafes is allowed only until 10 PM, after which only takeout and delivery are permitted. However, if two or more customers order only coffee, beverages, or simple desserts, it is strongly recommended to limit their stay in the store to within one hour.

Visiting sales promotion centers, karaoke rooms, indoor standing concert halls, indoor sports facilities, academies, and party rooms may also operate until 10 PM.

For movie theaters and performance halls, under Level 2, operations are allowed with one seat spacing or one seat spacing except for companions. For sports viewing, only 10% of the capacity is allowed for entry and viewing.

Previously, under Level 2.5, gatherings and events of 50 or more people were prohibited, but this criterion has been relaxed to prohibit gatherings of 100 or more people. Individual weddings and funerals can now be held with fewer than 100 attendees.

However, the ban on operating saunas and jjimjilbang (Korean bathhouses) in the metropolitan area remains. This measure corresponds to Level 3 social distancing rules but has been applied in the metropolitan area since December last year due to cluster infections in saunas. There have been 24 cluster infections related to bathhouse businesses since October last year, indicating ongoing issues.

On the 18th, when COVID-19 quarantine measures for multi-use facilities such as cafes and gyms were partially eased, citizens were drinking beverages at a cafe in downtown Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

Level 1.5 in Non-Metropolitan Areas: Operating Hour Restrictions Lifted for Multi-Use Facilities

In non-metropolitan areas, with the downgrade to Level 1.5, operating hour restrictions for multi-use facilities such as restaurants, cafes, karaoke rooms, indoor standing concert halls, indoor sports facilities, and party rooms are lifted. Movie theaters and performance halls can operate with one seat spacing except for companions. For sports viewing, up to 30% of the capacity is allowed for entry and viewing.

For other gatherings or events, assemblies, demonstrations, large concerts, festivals, and academic events are limited to fewer than 100 people. However, exhibitions, fairs, and international conferences are limited to one person per 4 square meters of facility area, allowing up to 499 people. Gatherings or events with 500 or more people must comply with core quarantine rules such as mask-wearing and establish their own quarantine management plans to report and consult with the relevant local government.

Even under Level 1.5 social distancing, it is strongly recommended that if two or more customers order only coffee, beverages, or simple desserts at restaurants and cafes, their stay in the store be limited to one hour.

Outdoor winter sports facilities such as ski resorts and ice rinks will limit capacity to 50%. Shuttle bus operations between other regions and ski resorts will also be suspended. Related rules apply to restaurants and cafes among auxiliary facilities.

Ban on Private Gatherings of Five or More People Maintained Nationwide... Immediate Family Allowed to Gather in Restaurants with Five or More

The ban on private gatherings of five or more people remains nationwide as before. However, immediate family members are exempt from this ban even if they are not cohabiting. Accordingly, immediate family members can gather in groups of five or more at multi-use facilities such as restaurants. Additionally, gatherings are allowed when necessary for childcare, elderly care, or care for persons with disabilities, or when family members gather due to the possibility of a deathbed situation.

Sports facilities with facility managers are also exempted in both metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas. Matches can be held at indoor and outdoor private futsal fields, soccer fields, baseball fields, etc. However, quarantine rules such as maintaining visitor logs, wearing masks, handwashing, and providing hand sanitizers must be followed.

Entertainment facilities that have been subject to gathering bans for 10 weeks in non-metropolitan areas and 12 weeks in the metropolitan area are now allowed to operate. Nightclubs, colatecs, karaoke bars, emotional pubs, hunting pubs, and hold'em pubs can operate until 10 PM if they comply with core quarantine rules.

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