Authorities: "6 PM considered the time when non-essential social activities increase"... Reconsideration of golf course shower allowance

On the first day of the Level 4 social distancing measures in the Seoul metropolitan area to prevent the spread of COVID-19, citizens are waiting for testing at a temporary screening clinic set up at Seoul Station Plaza on the 12th. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Chunhee Lee] The quarantine authorities emphasized that the current Level 4 social distancing measure in the Seoul metropolitan area, which has been criticized as a "nighttime curfew," is intended to reduce unnecessary gatherings and appointments by setting 6 p.m. as the time when non-essential social activities increase and applying a ban on gatherings of three or more people after 6 p.m. They also stated their intention to revisit the issue of shower room usage at golf courses, which has caused confusion at the frontline of quarantine enforcement.

Son Young-rae, head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, said during a COVID-19 briefing on the morning of the 12th, "The core of Level 4 social distancing is a stage where no outings or meeting appointments are made at all," adding, "Commuting for essential social activities is unavoidable, but in other cases, please refrain from going out as much as possible and stay safely at home."

Regarding criticisms such as "Doesn't one get infected with COVID-19 before 6 p.m.?" and "It's effectively a nighttime curfew," he explained the reason for the policy by saying, "Following institutional implementation, applying the ban on gatherings of three or more people 24 hours a day could cause confusion and excessive restrictions on essential social activities." For example, even when four employees move together for work activities, disputes could arise, so the ban on gatherings of three or more people is applied after 6 p.m., when non-essential activities are considered to increase.

On the 12th, when the Level 4 social distancing measures were implemented in the Seoul metropolitan area, commuters hurried along wearing masks at Gwanghwamun Station on Subway Line 5 in Seoul. According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, Level 4 in the metropolitan area will be enforced for two weeks from midnight on this day until midnight on the 25th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Mr. Son also explained the detailed quarantine rules that have caused confusion. In response to questions about whether taxis would also prohibit three or more passengers after 6 p.m. due to the ban on gatherings of three or more people, he said, "It depends on the case," explaining, "If three colleagues ride together after work and get off one by one, it is not considered a gathering as they are returning home together. However, if they ride together for purposes such as dining or club activities, it would violate the private gathering ban."

While shower facilities are banned in all indoor sports facilities except swimming pools under Level 4, outdoor golf courses are currently allowed to use shower rooms. However, the authorities are reviewing this policy again. Mr. Son explained, "The aspect that outdoor sports facilities have a lower quarantine risk led to overlooking the shower room issue," adding, "We are discussing this again with the associations." He further stated, "We will identify facilities operating shower rooms; if shower rooms are not practically in use and there are no problems, the current policy will continue, but if many facilities operate them, adjustments will be made."

Finally, Mr. Son emphasized, "The situation over the next two weeks is very important," and said, "Although Level 4 distancing causes significant public inconvenience and socio-economic damage, the focus is on curbing the spread over two weeks," urging public participation. He added, "Even if the ban on gatherings of three or more people is set after 6 p.m., if two-person gatherings increase significantly, it will be meaningless," and requested, "Please remember the message to refrain from outings, appointments, and gatherings as much as possible for two weeks from a fundamental perspective rather than focusing on individual rules."

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