Social Distancing Extended for 3 Weeks and Bars Closed... Experts Say "The 4th Wave Has Already Begun"

"If the spread intensifies, restrictions will return to 9 PM"

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun is speaking at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH) meeting on COVID-19 response held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 9th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy reporters Seo So-jeong and Lee Chun-hee] Amid the rapid spread of COVID-19, the government has decided to maintain the current 'social distancing' measures (Level 2 in the metropolitan area and Level 1.5 in non-metropolitan areas) for an additional three weeks. Accordingly, the ban on private gatherings of five or more people and the operating hour restrictions for restaurants and cafes will also be maintained until 10 p.m.

However, from next week, entertainment facilities such as karaoke bars, colatecs, and hunting pochas will be prohibited from operating in the metropolitan area and Busan, where the spread is severe.

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH) meeting held at the Government Seoul Office on the 9th, "The wave of the fourth wave of infections, which we have been trying to avoid, is approaching and intensifying," adding, "Outside the metropolitan area, social distancing Level 1.5 will be maintained, but local governments will actively implement step upgrades or various strengthened quarantine measures depending on the epidemic situation."

Consideration of Step Upgrade if Daily Average Cases Exceed 800

The government judged that it would be difficult to improve the situation in a short period during the COVID-19 spread phase and decided to extend the usual two-week social distancing period to three weeks, applying it from the 12th of this month to the 2nd of next month. The explanation is that upgrading social distancing would cause significant damage to the livelihood economy, and since the medical system still has capacity, the decision considered public acceptance and fatigue.

However, the government is reviewing a plan to start adjusting to Level 2.5 in the metropolitan area and Level 2 in non-metropolitan areas if the daily average number of confirmed cases exceeds 800, the lower threshold for Level 3 upgrade.

High-intensity regulations will be implemented on entertainment facilities, which have been identified as a major factor in recent infection spread. Prime Minister Chung stated, "For entertainment facilities in the metropolitan area and Busan, gatherings will be prohibited according to the principles set in social distancing Level 2."

Previously, under Level 2, gatherings were prohibited in principle for five types of entertainment facilities (entertainment bars, karaoke bars, colatecs, emotional bars, hunting pochas) and holdem pubs, but the government lifted the gathering ban in February on the condition of strict compliance with core quarantine rules.

However, following intensive police crackdowns starting on the 5th, 206 people were booked for violating quarantine guidelines within two days, and the number of confirmed cases linked to a cluster infection at an entertainment bar in Busan reached 318 as of the previous day, leading to an uncontrollable spread of cluster infections linked to entertainment facilities and the decision to reinstate the gathering ban.

It was reported that the adjustment plan included strengthening the operating hour restrictions for multi-use facilities from 10 p.m. back to 9 p.m., based on the judgment that cluster infections increased after easing to 10 p.m., but after careful consideration, this was deferred.

Prime Minister Chung said, "Operating hours for singing rooms, gyms, restaurants, and cafes will be maintained as they are for the time being, but if necessary, they will be reverted to 9 p.m. at any time depending on the situation," expressing the intention to strengthen operating hour restrictions if the spread worsens.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

"Worsening Indicators... Concern Over Missing the Golden Time"

Experts expressed concerns about maintaining the current social distancing measures. Professor Jung Jae-hoon of Gachon University’s Department of Preventive Medicine said, "The fourth wave has already begun," and pointed out, "As quarantine measures have been overshadowed by political and economic considerations, the fourth wave is now unavoidable."

Professor Eom Jung-sik of Gil Hospital also said, "Delaying the upgrade of social distancing has led to a reactive approach," adding, "There is concern that the golden time may be missed."

Professor Chun Eun-mi of Ewha Mokdong Hospital emphasized, "The infection reproduction number has exceeded 1, and various indicators such as positivity rates are worsening," stressing, "In a situation with low vaccination rates, social distancing should not be delayed any further."

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency’s Central Disease Control Headquarters announced that as of midnight on the day, 671 new confirmed COVID-19 cases were reported domestically, bringing the total to 108,269. Of these, 644 were domestic cases and 27 were imported. Although slightly lower than the previous day’s 700 cases, the number still shows a strong spread in the high 600s.

The nationwide weekly average of domestic cases, a key indicator for adjusting social distancing levels, also rose from 543 the previous day to 559. This already meets the criteria for upgrading to Level 2.5 (400-500 or more cases or rapid doubling of cases) and far exceeds the upper limit for confirmed cases.

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