Starting Tomorrow, Social Distancing Raised to Level 4... What Precautions Should Be Taken?

On the 11th, as the spread of COVID-19 in Seoul rapidly worsened without easing over the weekend, citizens were waiting for testing at a screening clinic set up at the Gangnam-gu Public Health Center. Photo by Mun Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seoyoung Kwon] From the 12th, the 'social distancing' level in the Seoul metropolitan area will be raised to Level 4, drawing increased attention to the changes in measures.

According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) on the 11th, social distancing Level 3 in the metropolitan area will be implemented for two weeks from 0:00 on the 12th to 0:00 on the 26th. This measure was taken as infections surged mainly among young adults in their 20s and 30s, middle-aged groups, and small gatherings. Afterward, the level may be extended or downgraded depending on the COVID-19 outbreak situation.

The most significant change is the restriction on the number of people allowed in private gatherings, which varies by time. Until 6 p.m., private gatherings are limited to a maximum of 4 people, and from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. the next day, only up to 2 people can meet. If three or more people gather during the restricted hours, violating the limit, individuals will be fined 100,000 KRW, and businesses that fail to notify or have multiple violations of quarantine rules will face fines up to 3 million KRW.

These private gatherings include not only simple meals but also activities such as hiking, taxi rides, and outdoor golf rounds. For example, even if hiking started before 6 p.m., if three or more people descend together after 6 p.m., it may violate the gathering limit. However, team sports during leisure activities are exempt from the limit only in business facilities where the facility manager is designated as a quarantine manager. For instance, baseball counts one team as 9 people, allowing up to 27 people to gather.

The number of people allowed in direct family gatherings is similarly limited to 4 or 2 depending on the time. The same restrictions apply to family events such as ancestral rites, and even if visitors come from other regions, if the rites are held in the metropolitan area, only up to 2 people can gather after 6 p.m. At weddings or funerals, up to 49 relatives may attend.

However, some exceptions are allowed for family gatherings to care for young children or the elderly. Cohabiting family members can dine together at a restaurant outside the home with three or more people even after 6 p.m. Direct family members such as grandparents who care for children, even if not cohabiting, and live-in babysitters are also recognized as exceptions to the gathering limit.

Multi-use facilities will have their operations suspended or restricted. Clubs, nightclubs, hunting pubs, and entertainment bars must suspend operations for two weeks, while restaurants, cafes, movie theaters, study rooms, and indoor sports facilities can operate only until 10 p.m. However, indoor sports facilities have detailed differences in quarantine rules depending on the sport or facility type. Group exercise classes such as dance workouts, spinning, and aerobics must maintain music speed at 100?120 bpm, and treadmill speeds in fitness centers are limited to 6 km/h or less. Shower facilities are not allowed to be used.

Performance venues can operate until 10 p.m. provided quarantine rules are followed. When operating with assigned seating, companions can sit together, and up to 5,000 people can attend concerts and performances. However, indoor and outdoor performances held in non-regular performance facilities such as indoor gyms or stadiums are prohibited regardless of genre under the Performance Act. Sports games will be held without spectators, and religious facilities will only allow non-face-to-face services.

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