Outdoor Sports Stadiums 30-50% Capacity... What Changes in Social Distancing Next Week (Summary)

Current Social Distancing Measures Extended for 3 Weeks Until the 4th of Next Month

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] The government has extended the current social distancing measures of Level 2 in the metropolitan area and Level 1.5 in non-metropolitan areas for three more weeks. However, considering that a new distancing system will be implemented immediately after the extension period ends, some quarantine rules for concerts, sports stadiums, and other venues will be partially relaxed starting next week.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters on the 11th, the current distancing measures will be maintained from the 14th of this month until the 4th of next month. However, local governments may flexibly strengthen measures depending on the local infection situation. As of this date, areas under Level 2 distancing include Daegu and Jeju, in addition to the metropolitan area. The nationwide ban on private gatherings of five or more people will also continue to be enforced.

Since the new distancing system will be implemented immediately after the current distancing phase ends, some parts of the revised plan will be applied preemptively. First, sports stadiums will expand spectator attendance to an intermediate level of the revised plan, but only for outdoor venues. Accordingly, in Level 2 areas, spectator attendance will increase from 10% to 30% (revised plan: 50%), and in Level 1.5 areas, it will increase up to 50% (revised plan: 70%).

Yoon Tae-ho, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters’ quarantine team, said at the regular COVID-19 briefing on the same day, “Rather than applying the revised distancing plan abruptly from July, we want to take a gradual approach to give the field time to prepare and adapt in advance. Since it is difficult to apply this to all facilities, we intend to start with outdoor sports stadiums first.”

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding popular music performances, which have raised fairness issues, quarantine measures will be unified under the rules applied to classical and musical performances. Until now, classical and musical performances had no attendance limits, whereas popular music performances were limited to fewer than 100 people. Until the system is revised, the maximum attendance will be capped at 4,000 people. If temporary seats are installed, a distance of at least 1 meter must be maintained.

Additionally, the pilot application of the distancing system revision, currently implemented in Jeonnam, Gyeongbuk, and Gyeongnam, will be expanded to include Gangwon Province. Yoon said, “Starting next week, Gangwon Province will pilot the revised distancing system in 15 cities and counties with populations under 100,000, including Donghae-si, Taebaek-si, Cheorwon-gun, and Hwacheon-gun. These areas will apply Level 1 distancing as a pilot, allowing private gatherings of up to 8 people, and additional quarantine personnel will be deployed at tourist sites.”

Yoon added, “As of midnight on the 11th, 20.6% of the population has been vaccinated, and especially in the past ten days this month, 4.8 million people have received their first dose, showing that the vaccination pace is accelerating. From July, the risk of COVID-19 will be significantly reduced, and the recovery of daily life in our society will be much closer.”

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