[Q&A] Current Social Distancing Extended for 2 Weeks... Up to 8 People Allowed for Immediate Family, Sangyeonrye, and Infant Gatherings

Metropolitan Area Bathhouse Businesses Open Until 10 PM... Non-Metropolitan Entertainment Facility Operating Hours Restrictions Lifted

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo Sojeong] The government will extend the current "social distancing" measures for two more weeks until the 28th to curb the spread of COVID-19. Accordingly, the 10 PM operating hour restriction for multi-use facilities such as restaurants and cafes in the metropolitan area will remain in place. Entertainment facilities outside the metropolitan area, where level 1.5 is applied, will have their operating hour restrictions lifted.

However, the exception for immediate family members under the "ban on private gatherings of five or more people" has been limited to up to eight people. Meetings such as formal introductions before marriage and gatherings with infants and toddlers are also allowed up to eight people. We have summarized the questions regarding the changed quarantine measures.

Q. Immediate family members were exempt from the "ban on private gatherings of five or more people," so why is an eight-person limit now applied?

A. Considering the continuous occurrence of infections among family members and the frequent large-scale family gatherings of 20 or more people, a cap was applied even in cases of exceptions. When immediate family members gather, meetings are allowed up to eight people in cases of ▲accompanying infants and toddlers ▲formal introductions between families for marriage purposes.

Q. Children under six years old are exempt, but how does this apply?

A. In cases where children under six years old who are not yet in school, as defined by Article 2 of the Infant Care Act, are accompanied, gatherings of up to eight people are exceptionally allowed. Even in this case, the number of people excluding infants and toddlers is limited to four under the "ban on private gatherings of five or more people." For example, a gathering of five infants and toddlers and three people excluding infants and toddlers is allowed, but two infants and toddlers and five people excluding them is not allowed. Also, a gathering of six infants and toddlers and three people excluding them is not allowed because the total number including infants and toddlers reaches nine.

Q. What penalties are imposed for violating the obligations?

A. Under the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act, violators may be fined up to 100,000 KRW. Fines can be imposed multiple times, and if a confirmed case occurs due to violation of administrative orders, claims for compensation for treatment and other costs may be made.

Major Social Distancing Measures

Q. What is the allowed scope for formal introductions for marriage?

A. Although formal introductions were included in the "ban on private gatherings of five or more people," considering the prolonged postponement of such meetings between families for marriage, gatherings of up to eight people are exceptionally allowed. Meals with both sets of parents are also allowed up to eight people.

Q. Are first birthday parties (Doljanchi) subject to the "ban on private gatherings of five or more people"?

A. Yes. However, Doljanchi specialty venues, which are effectively restricted from operating due to the ban on gatherings of five or more people, are exceptionally allowed to operate under core quarantine rules, applying the number of people limits according to social distancing levels similar to wedding halls. The metropolitan area applies a limit of 99 people, and non-metropolitan areas apply a standard of one person per 4㎡ of facility area.

Q. Why are bathhouse businesses in the metropolitan area restricted from operating after 10 PM?

A. This is due to the high risk of infection in sleeping areas. The measures include ▲a 10 PM operating hour restriction ▲prohibition of conversation between bathhouse attendants where mask-wearing is difficult ▲maintaining a 2-meter (minimum 1 meter) distance between users in the sweating room ▲posting and informing the number of users at the entrance of the sweating room ▲locking shower facilities and lockers to ensure spacing ▲wearing masks in bathhouses and sweating rooms where users undress and enter, except for the sauna and jjimjilbang (Korean dry sauna) facilities, which may operate if these quarantine rules are followed.

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