Non-Capital Regions Allow Private Gatherings Up to 4 People from Tomorrow to Next Month 1st... "Unified to Prevent Public Confusion" (Update)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] As COVID-19 cases surge in non-metropolitan areas, the government has decided to limit private gatherings to no more than four people across all non-metropolitan regions for two weeks, from tomorrow (the 19th) until the 1st of next month.

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters announced on the 18th that this decision was made after receiving and discussing the "Adjustment Plan for Private Gathering Restrictions in Non-Metropolitan Areas" from the Ministry of Health and Welfare's Central Accident Response Headquarters.

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters explained, "While social distancing levels will be autonomously adjusted by local governments considering regional circumstances, private gathering restrictions will be unified to minimize inter-regional movement and prevent public confusion."

Exceptions to the private gathering restrictions will be applied at the level of Step 2, and these exceptions can be autonomously adjusted by local governments based on their specific situations.

According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, the domestic weekly average daily number of cases is 1,365.7, and with the spread in the metropolitan area, non-metropolitan areas are also experiencing an upward trend.

Currently, all regions except Honam and Gyeongbuk meet or exceed the criteria for Step 2.

Most local governments are reviewing adjustments to social distancing levels according to the criteria, and Jeju plans to apply Step 3 starting from the 19th.

Some local governments have already strengthened quarantine measures through enhanced private gathering restrictions and operating hour limits beyond the social distancing levels.

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters conveyed that after collecting opinions from local governments on applying the private gathering limit of up to four people across all non-metropolitan areas, all local governments expressed support.

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters stated, "Each local government generally respects the central government's decision, considering the rapid surge in metropolitan area cases and increased movement during the vacation season," adding, "However, considering the difficulties faced by small business owners, the current rule of allowing local governments to autonomously decide on social distancing level adjustments will be maintained."

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