Non-Capital Areas to Finally Enter 'Level 3' from the 27th... Restaurants and Cafes Open Until 10 PM (Update)

Ban on Private Gatherings of Five or More Extended Until the 8th of Next Month

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] As the spread of COVID-19 intensifies in non-metropolitan areas, the government has ultimately decided to uniformly raise social distancing to Level 3. This measure will be applied from 0:00 on the 27th of this month until 24:00 on the 8th of next month, considering the preparation period for local governments and multi-use facilities. However, for cities and counties with populations under 100,000, the government judged that the risk of a balloon effect is low and allowed local governments to decide autonomously.

On the 25th, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH) announced the strengthening of social distancing measures. Non-metropolitan areas, centered on the Chungcheong region, Gyeongnam region, Gangwon, and Jeju, have shown an increase in confirmed cases for four consecutive weeks. Unlike the metropolitan area, mobility has not decreased. Weekend mobility in non-metropolitan areas during the second week of July (17th?18th) increased by 0.9% compared to the previous week and by 5.3% compared to two weeks prior. Authorities explained, "Due to the recent increase in the spread in non-metropolitan areas, along with concerns about the balloon effect of the metropolitan area outbreak and spread through interregional movement during the vacation season, quarantine measures for non-metropolitan areas are being strengthened."

The current ban on private gatherings of five or more people in non-metropolitan areas will also be extended until the 8th of next month under the Level 3 distancing measures. Drinking alcohol at parks, recreational areas, and beaches in non-metropolitan areas will be prohibited at night. Accommodation facilities must follow room capacity limits, but in the case of private gatherings such as trips, up to four people can stay according to regulations. Parties and events hosted by accommodation facilities are prohibited.

Due to the continued occurrence of cluster infections in pubs, entertainment facilities, and karaoke rooms, local governments are strongly recommended to implement enhanced quarantine measures suited to on-site conditions, such as banning gatherings at entertainment facilities and restricting operating hours until 10 p.m. for karaoke rooms, academies, indoor sports facilities, and game rooms. The ban on gatherings at entertainment facilities and the 10 p.m. operating hour restriction for indoor sports facilities are Level 4 distancing rules and are not mandatory at Level 3. However, local governments may enforce them through administrative orders if necessary.

With the application of Level 3 distancing in non-metropolitan areas, events and assemblies are allowed with fewer than 50 people. Weddings and funerals may have up to 49 attendees.

Among multi-use facilities, some such as entertainment facilities, karaoke rooms, bathhouses, restaurants, and cafes may operate only until 10 p.m. Additionally, sports viewing is limited to 20% of indoor venue capacity and 30% of outdoor venue capacity. Accommodation facilities must operate only three-quarters of all rooms.

Religious facilities may allow attendance up to 20% of capacity (with four-seat spacing). However, various meetings, events, meals, and overnight stays are prohibited. Outdoor events are allowed with fewer than 50 people, provided quarantine rules are followed.

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