What Changes at Level 4? Eating Together After 6 PM? Gym Treadmills?

No Exceptions to Capacity Limits for Immediate Family... 'Exceptions' for Cohabiting Family
If Four Play Golf or Hike Past 6 PM, Capacity Limits Apply

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] Starting tomorrow (the 12th), in the Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon metropolitan areas, private gatherings will be limited to a maximum of 2 people after 6 p.m. If more than 3 people gather privately during this time, a fine of 100,000 KRW will be imposed. Businesses that fail to adequately notify this rule or have multiple violations will face fines up to 3 million KRW.

This social distancing level 4 measure will be in effect for two weeks from 0:00 on the 12th until midnight on the 25th. Due to the recent surge in daily new COVID-19 cases around 1,300 centered in the metropolitan area, the government has raised the distancing level to the highest, level 4. The goal is to minimize social contact through refraining from gatherings and outings to curb further spread.

Level 4 is the strongest quarantine measure applied during the one and a half years since the first COVID-19 case was reported in Korea in January last year. It differs significantly from previous measures in many aspects.

On the 11th, a day before the implementation of Level 4 social distancing in the Seoul metropolitan area, a movie theater in downtown Seoul is quiet. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

The number of people allowed in private gatherings changes based on 6 p.m.

▲The biggest feature of social distancing level 4 is that the number of people allowed in private gatherings is limited to 4 or 2 depending on the time. Specifically, from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m., up to 4 people can meet, but from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. the next day, a stricter limit of 2 people applies.

The previous exception allowing up to 8 people for 'direct family' gatherings is no longer recognized. Even direct family members must comply with the 4 or 2 person limit based on 6 p.m. For example, if direct family members visit from outside the metropolitan area for ancestral rites but hold the rites in the metropolitan area, only 2 people are allowed after 6 p.m. This applies not only to ancestral rites but also to formal meetings such as marriage introductions.

Why '6 p.m.'?

▲The quarantine authorities explain that 6 p.m. is the time when essential social activities and non-essential activities are distinguished. The basic principle of level 4 is a message asking people to refrain as much as possible from unnecessary gatherings, appointments, and outings and to stay home. However, even with restrictions on private gatherings, it is not realistic to completely exclude essential social activities. Since non-essential social activities increase significantly after 6 p.m., gatherings are more strictly limited after this time.

Originally, vaccinated people were exempt from gathering restrictions

▲In level 4, some incentives for fully vaccinated individuals are not recognized. Most importantly, no exceptions are allowed for the 2 or 4 person gathering limits, so the number restrictions must be followed. However, exemptions from self-quarantine for close contacts and for those fully vaccinated overseas upon entry remain in place.

Are there any exceptions to the gathering limits?

▲Direct family members are subject to the number limits, but 'cohabiting family' living together can gather without restrictions. Also, exceptions apply when caregivers perform care activities for children, elderly, or disabled persons, or when gathering due to a deathbed situation.

If 4 people are playing golf and it passes 6 p.m., is the caddie included in the limit?

▲The caddie is not included in the number limit. That is, up to 5 people including 1 caddie can play until 6 p.m. However, if the game passes 6 p.m., only 3 people including the caddie are allowed.

If 4 people enter a restaurant or cafe before 6 p.m., must they separate after 6 p.m.?

▲Yes. It is the same as golf. At 6 p.m., they must separate or only 2 people remain. If 4 people hike together and descend after 6 p.m., they may violate the number limit.

If coworkers use public transportation together after 6 p.m.?

▲Taxi rides are limited to 2 people after 6 p.m. It is a violation of quarantine guidelines if 3 friends or coworkers take a taxi together after 6 p.m. Although it is realistically difficult to prevent 3 or more people from using subways or buses together, authorities recommend maintaining distance from acquaintances as much as possible.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Is it possible to meet in non-metropolitan areas where level 4 is not applied if departing separately from the metropolitan area?

▲Yes. Distancing measures apply to regions, not individuals. Even if residents of the metropolitan area move to non-metropolitan areas, they must follow the distancing rules of that area. If gatherings of 5 or more are allowed in that area, metropolitan residents can meet accordingly. However, the government recommends metropolitan residents refrain from traveling to non-metropolitan areas as much as possible.

10 p.m. business hour restrictions? Business closures? What are the operating hours for multi-use facilities?

▲Clubs, nightclubs, hunting pubs, emotional pubs, entertainment bars, colatecs, dance halls, and holdem pubs must close earlier. Restaurants, cafes, movie theaters, PC rooms, study rooms, academies, and indoor sports facilities can operate until 10 p.m. Convenience stores with a retail area over 300㎡ cannot operate after 10 p.m.

Indoor sports facilities have additional quarantine rules besides the 10 p.m. operation limit, right?

▲For group exercise classes such as group dance, spinning, aerobics, hot yoga, gymnastics classes, and jump rope, music tempo must be maintained at 100?120 bpm. Songs commonly listened to during exercise usually exceed 120 bpm. If using a treadmill at a gym, speed must be lowered to 6 km/h or less to prevent droplets and sweat from splashing due to intense exercise. Shower rooms are not allowed. Table tennis facility stay time is limited to within 2 hours, and doubles matches and tournaments are prohibited.

What about schools?

▲Kindergartens and all elementary, middle, and high schools will switch entirely to remote classes. Daycare centers will be closed.

Are team sports like baseball and soccer allowed?

▲Sports games are allowed up to 1.5 times the number of players on both teams combined. Baseball counts 9 players per team, so up to 27 people (1.5 times 18) can gather. Futsal is allowed up to 15 people.

What are bank operating hours?

▲Operating hours for metropolitan area commercial banks are shortened to 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. This is not a regulation under quarantine rules but a proactive measure taken by the industry.

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