"Not Even Sending Home Notices a Day Early"... Confusion and Disappointment Among Self-Employed Due to Delay in Social Distancing Revision

As COVID-19 cases surged in the Seoul metropolitan area, including Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, the current social distancing measures were extended by one week. On the 1st, a notice stating "No gatherings of 5 or more people" was posted on the entrance door of a restaurant in Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporters Donghoon Jeong, Seungyoon Song, Jeongyun Lee] "Even elementary school newsletters are not given a day in advance. They say they will reorganize social distancing, but what is this?"

On the 1st, Seo Mo (49), who runs a sushi restaurant near Hongdae Entrance Station in Mapo-gu, Seoul, expressed his frustration. That day was originally scheduled for the number of private gatherings to increase from 4 to 6 people and business hours to be extended until midnight, but due to the sudden rise in COVID-19 cases, local governments in the Seoul metropolitan area including Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon postponed these measures by a week. Seo was repeatedly calling customers who had reservations for more than 4 people. He said, "Customers who reserved for groups of 4 or more have not canceled, so I am calling each one. I don’t know what to do with the part-time workers who were supposed to come in the evening and the ingredients we prepared in advance due to staff shortages."

The postponement of social distancing reorganization caused confusion and disappointment in major metropolitan commercial districts such as Gangnam and Mapo in Seoul. With daily new COVID-19 cases exceeding 700, private gatherings in the Seoul metropolitan area including Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon are limited to 4 people until the 7th. Restrictions on dining in restaurants and cafes, karaoke rooms, indoor sports facilities after 10 p.m., and bans on gatherings at six types of entertainment venues remain in place. The groups most enthusiastic about the initial announcement of easing social distancing were self-employed business owners. Many had hired new staff and renovated their stores in hopes of emerging from the long tunnel of the 'COVID recession.' However, as the government’s measures were postponed in the metropolitan area, complaints from self-employed business owners poured in.

Self-employed business owners met near Nonhyeon Station and Gangnam Station also expressed disappointment over the postponement of easing social distancing. They especially lamented the psychological blow caused by dashed hopes for increased sales. Jang Mo (49), who runs a meat restaurant near Nonhyeon Station, said, "I had hope that business would improve after hearing that COVID-19 restrictions would be eased, but now I think, 'It’s not going to work after all.' Even though it’s just a one-week delay, the disappointment is as big as the expectation, and I feel helpless about how to endure going forward." Taxi driver Park Mo (55) said, "I thought customers would increase with longer operating hours for restaurants and bars, but I’m very disappointed to hear about the one-week postponement."

On the afternoon of the 30th of last month, a staff member at a restaurant in Seoul is modifying the notice from "Gatherings allowed up to 6 people starting next month" to "Gatherings allowed up to 4 people." [Image source=Yonhap News]

However, some responded with indifference to the postponement, having grown accustomed to social distancing. Jeon Jungguk (58), who runs a bar near Gangnam Station, said, "I had expectations for increased sales, but as cases continue to rise, I understand the decision to postpone. Social distancing has been ongoing for over a year, so now I’m indifferent whether it’s postponed or not."

Self-employed business owners say the decision has caused damage such as reservation cancellations. Kim Mo (60), who runs a Korean traditional set menu restaurant, explained, "Evening sales dropped by about 80% because company dinners were canceled. Reservations increased due to easing social distancing, but about seven groups have already canceled, and inquiries keep coming in." Kim Mo (45), who runs a bar, said, "After Seoul’s announcement, we called eight reserved groups to explain the situation and canceled their reservations. We had requested ingredient deliveries while taking reservations, so canceling them caused some financial damage, though not large."

Kim Seongmyeon (38, pseudonym), who runs an entertainment bar in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, cleaned the store and stocked the refrigerator with liquor and fruit a week in advance to prepare for reopening. Kim said, "I canceled family vacations and prepared for business again after hearing the news that we could reopen, but I feel like dying. I understand the situation, but how can they notify us suddenly the afternoon before?"

There were also complaints from self-employed business associations. Lee Seongwon, Secretary General of the Korea Federation of Small Business Owners and Self-Employed, said, "It’s regrettable and unfortunate, but we fully understand the situation due to the rapid increase in cases. However, considering the severe losses self-employed business owners have suffered so far, a compromise is needed, such as extending business hours even if the limit on the number of people is maintained." Jeon Jae-woo, Secretary General of the Korea Entertainment Food Industry Central Association, said, "Entertainment business owners have nowhere left to retreat. Unlike other industries, we couldn’t operate for over a year and finally had hope, but this decision has plunged us into despair again." These and other self-employed groups plan to monitor the situation during the one-week postponement period and consider resuming protests and press conferences if business restrictions are prolonged.

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