From the 23rd, Business Hours Shortened from 10 AM to 9 AM... "Don't They See Us as Citizens?" Self-Employed People Express Frustration

"Nationwide Protest Rallies Planned" Self-Employed Business Owners Rebel
Kim Bu-gyeom "Heavy Hearted but Surrendering Means Daily Life Moves Further Away"

Rental notices are posted one after another on the shops in Myeongdong Street, Jung-gu, Seoul.
Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] The government has decided to extend the current social distancing measures of 'Level 4 in the metropolitan area and Level 3 in non-metropolitan areas' for two more weeks. In particular, starting next week, the operating hours of restaurants and cafes will be shortened from the current 10 PM to 9 PM, sparking strong opposition from self-employed business owners.

On the 20th, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) announced that the current social distancing levels will be extended for two weeks from the 23rd to September 5th. This decision was made as the spread of the fourth wave of COVID-19 continues unabated.

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency's Central Disease Control Headquarters, as of midnight on the 20th, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases was 2,052. The previous day (19th) recorded 2,152 cases, the second highest number ever. The number of cases has remained in the four digits for 45 consecutive days since the 7th of last month.

Accordingly, the government decided to maintain the existing social distancing levels and, in particular, to shorten the operating hours of restaurants and cafes in Level 4 areas from 10 PM to 9 PM.

However, considering the progress of vaccination, the policy of limiting private gatherings to two people after 6 PM will allow up to four people, including two fully vaccinated individuals, only in restaurants and cafes.

Closed store on Myeongdong Street, Jung-gu, Seoul.
Photo by Yonhap News

Self-employed business owners immediately protested against this operating hour restriction policy.

The National Emergency Response Committee for the Self-Employed (NERC) issued a statement saying, "Imposing stronger regulations on us who are only suffering losses means the government does not consider the self-employed as citizens," and warned, "If the government enforces quarantine measures that shift the responsibility for the surge in confirmed cases onto the self-employed, we will hold nationwide vehicle protests condemning the government."

They continued, "The self-employed have been complying with the government's quarantine rules for over a year and a half since last year, resulting in mounting debts," and lamented, "Despite restrictions on gatherings that infringe on the constitutional right to property, we have not received proper compensation for our losses."

Regarding the government's allowance of gatherings of up to four people, including two fully vaccinated individuals, after 6 PM, they criticized, "It is merely a superficial gesture," and pointed out, "Shortening operating hours directly reduces the sales of self-employed businesses, whereas easing gathering restrictions for vaccinated people seems to be a measure introduced to cover up such a critical restriction."

However, the government maintains that this is an unavoidable measure considering the spread of the virus.

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum said at the CDSCH meeting held at the Government Seoul Office on the same day, "Despite our full efforts with the participation and cooperation of every citizen, the fierce flames of this fourth wave continue," and added, "We believe that adverse factors such as the Delta variant, increased movement and contact during the holiday season, and social fatigue are acting in combination."

He continued, "It is with a heavy heart that I once again ask the public for patience and cooperation. My heart aches when I think of the small business owners and self-employed who are enduring the most painful times," and emphasized, "But if we succumb to COVID-19 now, the path to restoring daily life will only become more distant."

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