Seoul City Strengthens Enforcement While Easing Quarantine Measures

Government Eases Social Distancing in Capital and Non-Capital Areas... Sporadic Cluster Infections Continue in Seoul
Seoul City Lifts Operating Hour Restrictions for Academies and Study Rooms... Restaurant and Cafe Hours Extended to 10 PM
Heightened Alert Despite Four-Day Seollal Holiday Impact... Enforcement of Fines and Plans for Reimbursement Claims Underway

On the 15th, when social distancing in the metropolitan area was eased to Level 2, office workers who finished their meals at a cafe in Seoul are purchasing drinks. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Although the government’s social distancing measures for the metropolitan area and non-metropolitan areas have been downgraded, Seoul is facing deep concerns. This is due to the continuous emergence of new confirmed cases through group sports facilities, hospitals, and private gatherings. While implementing the eased measures, Seoul plans to tighten quarantine controls in preparation for the aftermath of the Lunar New Year holiday.

According to Seoul city on the 16th, the number of new COVID-19 confirmed cases in Seoul over the recent four days (11th to 14th) recorded 158 → 136 → 152 → 151. Although the daily new confirmed cases had decreased to around 90 earlier this month, the number surged to over 180 on the 10th, showing an unstable trend.

Seoul city has lifted operating hour restrictions for businesses such as academies, study rooms, and theaters in line with the government’s easing of distancing measures. For businesses with operating hour restrictions until 9 PM, including restaurants, cafes, indoor sports facilities, karaoke rooms, door-to-door sales, indoor standing concert halls, and party rooms, the operating hours have been extended to 10 PM. For restaurants and cafes, in-store dining is allowed until 10 PM, and after 10 PM, only takeout and delivery are permitted.

Public transportation reductions have also been eased. Seoul adjusted the reduced operation of public transportation implemented during distancing level 2.5, relaxing subway and city bus services that were reduced by up to 30% from 9 PM to operate with up to 20% reduction from 10 PM. Subway operations increased by 15 trips (from 113 to 128 trips) compared to level 2.5, and city buses increased to 874 trips across 347 routes, rising from 3,189 to 4,063 trips.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

However, as sporadic cluster infections continue, the situation is being closely monitored. According to Seoul city, as of midnight on the 15th, the number of confirmed cases related to a sports facility in Guro-gu increased by 9 to a total of 32, and cases related to a sports facility in Seongbuk-gu increased by 3 to 19. In particular, 26 new confirmed cases were identified related to Soonchunhyang University Hospital in Yongsan-gu, bringing the total to 81, and 3 additional cases at Hanyang University Hospital in Seongdong-gu raised the total to 96. The total number of confirmed cases is expected to increase further once the full inspection at Soonchunhyang University Hospital is completed.

Moreover, attention is heightened regarding the impact of the four-day Lunar New Year holiday. With increased travel for family and acquaintance gatherings during the holiday and the government’s social distancing measures eased to level 2 in the metropolitan area and 1.5 in non-metropolitan areas, there is a risk of unnoticed spread. The operating hours of six types of entertainment facilities, including restaurants, cafes, indoor sports facilities, and karaoke rooms, have also been extended from 9 PM to 10 PM, increasing tension.

Seoul city has requested visitors to facilities with extended operating hours, such as restaurants and cafes, to stay for as short a time as possible. At the same time, it has communicated policies to impose fines and claim compensation rights against users and operators of multi-use facilities. A Seoul city official explained, "Considering the risks that may arise from extended operating hours and the lifting of gathering bans, we will strengthen quarantine management based on the autonomy and responsibility of facility operators and users," adding, "We plan to operate a voluntary compliance inspection and monitoring system led by associations and organizations." The official further stated, "Businesses violating quarantine rules will face fines and a two-week gathering ban, and claims for compensation against managers and users violating the rules will be strengthened for strict response."

Previously, Seoul city had even obtained a legal interpretation confirming that enforcement actions are possible after the fact if quarantine rules are violated. If mask non-wearing by users is confirmed through CCTV or epidemiological investigation statements at facilities where confirmed cases occurred, fines can be imposed. The Central Disease Control Headquarters responded earlier this month to Seoul city’s request for legal interpretation by confirming that fines can be imposed, and Seoul city has supplemented detailed guidelines for imposing fines.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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