Busan Eases to Level 1.5 After 52 Days … Busan Mayor Park Hyung-jun Thanks Small Business Owners and Self-Employed for Their Long Patience

Social Distancing Adjusted to Level 1.5 for 3 Weeks from May 24 to June 13

Relief Measures Considering Self-Employed Livelihood Difficulties, Ban on Private Gatherings of 5 or More Remains

Panoramic view of Busan City Hall.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] The social distancing level in Busan city will change from level 2 to level 1.5. This is a relaxation after 52 days.

Busan City (Mayor Park Hyung-jun) announced on the 21st that, according to the government's social distancing adjustment plan, the social distancing level will be adjusted to level 1.5 from May 24 to June 13.

Although cases of 'dark cases'?where the infection route is unknown?and the risk of variant viruses from neighboring areas continue to increase, Busan City decided to lower the level considering the recent weekly average daily confirmed case trends and hospital bed capacity.

Additionally, taking into account the urgency of small business owners and self-employed people who have been restricted in facility operations for a long time, as well as the local economic situation, the decision was made after a meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters on the 21st.

Although adjusted to level 1.5, some strengthened quarantine rules will be applied considering the risk of variant virus introduction into the community.

The main points include ▲ maintaining the ban on private gatherings of five or more people.

▲ Operating restrictions until 10 PM for five types of entertainment facilities (including dance halls), hold'em pubs, and karaoke rooms ▲ Prohibition of operation of sweating facilities such as saunas, Korean steam rooms, and jjimjilbangs ▲ For restaurants and cafes, dining inside the premises is allowed only until 10 PM, and after 10 PM only takeout and delivery are permitted.

To prevent cluster infections from occurring again in the community, periodic diagnostic testing will be conducted for workers at entertainment facilities.

Businesses violating quarantine rules will be strictly dealt with under a zero-tolerance principle, including fines and a two-week suspension of gatherings (one-strike-out policy), and symptomatic individuals are advised to refrain from going to work and to get tested for COVID-19 immediately.

Busan Mayor Park Hyung-jun expressed gratitude to small business owners and self-employed people who have endured for a long time.

The mayor urged, “With the relaxation of social distancing levels, please make sure not to loosen the reins on community quarantine and strictly follow basic quarantine rules such as wearing masks and keeping visitor logs at multi-use facilities.”

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