Military extends 'Social Distancing Level 2' until the 23rd... Ban on dinners and gatherings lifted

Ministry of National Defense, Yongsan-gu, Seoul [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] The Ministry of National Defense will extend the current "Level 2 Social Distancing within the Military" measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 until the 23rd.

According to the Ministry of National Defense on the 2nd, the policy allowing leave for up to 20% of unit personnel within the scope of managing leavee quarantine, including the military's polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing capacity, will be maintained under this extension. Outdoor activities will only be permitted in safe areas under the judgment of on-site commanders, while overnight stays and visits will continue to be restricted.

However, the temporary ban on gatherings within the military imposed last week will be lifted in connection with the government's directive to lift bans on public sector dinners and gatherings. The ban on gatherings of five or more people will remain in effect.

The "Special Quarantine Management Week" implementation guidelines, which include postponement or cancellation of events, visits, and business trips, refraining from face-to-face meetings, and expanded flexible working hours and staggered lunch schedules, will continue to be applied until the 9th, in line with government guidelines.

Meanwhile, the Navy plans to maintain its internally applied Level 2.5 measures for ships and key units, following outbreaks of group infections on vessels, at least until the 7th.

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