Even with only the first dose, '10-person family gatherings' allowed from June... Masks to be removed outdoors in July (Update)

Announcement of 'Vaccine Incentives' on the 26th to Improve Vaccination Rates

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] Starting next month, people who have completed the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine will be excluded from the headcount for immediate family gatherings, and some quarantine rules will be eased. From July, those who have completed vaccination will also be excluded from the headcount for multi-use facilities and in-person religious activities.

On the 26th, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters decided on these measures after receiving and discussing the ‘Support Plan for Daily Life Recovery for Vaccinated Individuals’ from the Central Disease Control Headquarters. The support for daily life recovery will be implemented step-by-step, focusing on the major milestones of July and October in the vaccination plan. The easing of quarantine measures will be applied from the first week of July, when the first dose vaccination for high-risk groups such as those aged 60 and over is completed. Exceptionally, some measures will be eased from June, mainly for elderly vaccination appointments and vaccinations currently underway according to the first half vaccination plan.

On the 26th, when the government announced plans to provide 'vaccine recipient incentives' to increase COVID-19 vaccination rates, elderly people were waiting to receive COVID-19 vaccines at the vaccination center in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul. People who have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine will be exempt from the immediate family gathering limit (currently 8 people) starting next month on the 1st. From July, they will be allowed to remove masks outdoors in parks and hiking trails, and will be exempt from the set limits on the number of people allowed in indoor and outdoor multi-use facilities such as restaurants, cafes, wedding halls, religious institutions, and private gatherings. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Even if only two grandparents have received the first dose, immediate family gatherings of up to 10 people allowed from next month

First, from June, even those who have only received the first dose will be excluded from the headcount for immediate family gatherings. Currently, immediate family gatherings are allowed up to 8 people, but if two grandparents have been vaccinated, family gatherings of up to 10 people will be possible.

To promote social activities for the elderly, programs involving first-dose recipients and fully vaccinated individuals will be encouraged at elderly welfare facilities such as welfare centers and senior citizen centers, which have been suspended so far. In particular, programs where mask-wearing is possible, such as art, computer, and yoga classes, will be actively promoted. Small groups composed only of fully vaccinated individuals will be allowed to have singing classes, wind instrument lessons, and even food consumption.

Preemptive testing and quarantine measures such as visits to vulnerable facilities will also be eased. Fully vaccinated individuals will be exempt from periodic preemptive testing required for workers at vulnerable facilities such as nursing hospitals and elderly care facilities. Furthermore, face-to-face (contact) visits will be allowed if either the visitor or the resident at nursing hospitals and elderly care facilities has completed vaccination.

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@

From July, fully vaccinated individuals will be excluded from the '5-person limit'

From July, when 25% of the entire population completes the first dose, the second phase of quarantine adjustment will be applied. The main point is the relaxation of various gathering restrictions for fully vaccinated individuals. Accordingly, fully vaccinated people will be able to freely participate in small gatherings as well as family gatherings during the Chuseok holiday.

The scope of religious activities will also expand significantly. First-dose recipients and fully vaccinated individuals will be excluded from the participant limits for in-person religious activities such as regular worship services, Mass, Buddhist ceremonies, and memorial services. Additionally, choirs or small groups composed only of fully vaccinated individuals will be allowed to operate.

Regarding the use of multi-use facilities such as restaurants and cafes, first-dose recipients will be excluded from the headcount limits when using 'outdoor' multi-use facilities. Fully vaccinated individuals will be excluded from headcount limits for both outdoor and indoor multi-use facilities. Considering the progress of vaccinations, the government plans to review allowing food consumption and cheering in separate zones composed only of fully vaccinated individuals at sports events, movie theaters, and the like.

First-dose recipients and fully vaccinated individuals will no longer be required to wear masks outdoors, allowing free activities without masks in outdoor spaces such as parks and hiking trails.

"Review of indoor mask-wearing mandate easing after December"

The government plans to re-discuss social distancing and quarantine rules after the end of September, when over 70% of the entire population completes the first dose. This will be based on a comprehensive consideration of vaccination rates and quarantine situations. Broadly, except for special cases such as hospitals and nursing facilities which are vulnerable to infection, discussions will focus on restoring pre-COVID-19 daily life regarding indoor and outdoor distancing.

Furthermore, after December, when the nationwide vaccination rate reaches around 70%, the government intends to review easing the indoor mask-wearing mandate.

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