Social Distancing Extended for 2 More Weeks... Restaurant and Cafe Operating Hours Shortened to 9 PM

COVID-19 Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters Meeting

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Son Seon-hee] The government has decided to extend the current social distancing measures for two more weeks until the 5th of next month. In areas under Level 4 restrictions, business hours for restaurants and cafes will be shortened from the current 10 PM to 9 PM. However, the limit on gatherings of two people after 6 PM will be relaxed to allow an additional two people, totaling four, only if they have completed their second dose of vaccination.

On the morning of the 20th, Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum chaired a meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters at the Government Complex Seoul and stated, "With the start of the second semester and the full-scale rollout of nationwide vaccination, the next two weeks of quarantine management will be a turning point in overcoming this fourth wave."

Regarding the fact that nearly 2,000 new COVID-19 cases are occurring daily despite six weeks of the highest-level social distancing, he said, "It is judged that adverse factors such as the Delta variant, increased movement and contact during the vacation season, and social fatigue are acting in combination," and expressed, "I sincerely thank and console the people who are enduring these high-intensity quarantine measures."

Prime Minister Kim said, "As the spread of infection prolongs, the number of critically ill patients is also increasing," and added, "We will operate all available hospital beds nationwide in an integrated manner and swiftly secure new beds together with local governments to ensure that not a single citizen is sacrificed in vain." He also emphasized, "We will strengthen efforts to ensure compliance on the ground," and stated, "We will no longer allow the entire community to bear the burden of quarantine due to the violations and deviations of a very small minority." In this regard, the government plans to strengthen administrative sanctions and thoroughly identify related illegal activities.

Regarding the prolonged fourth wave of COVID-19, Prime Minister Kim expressed, "I feel heavy-hearted to once again ask the public for patience and cooperation," and lamented, "My heart aches when I think of the small business owners and self-employed who are going through painful times." Nevertheless, he urged, "If we succumb to COVID-19 here, the path to restoring daily life will only become more distant," and appealed, "Please show a little more strength by caring for and supporting each other."

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