"Indefinite 4th Phase Extension"...Restaurants and Cafes Open Only Until 9 PM Starting Tomorrow

Extension of Seoul Metropolitan Area Level 4 Restrictions Until the 5th of Next Month
"Infection Risk in Restaurants and Cafes"... Delivery and Takeout Only After 9 PM

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] The fourth wave of COVID-19 in South Korea continues to spread, driven by the highly transmissible Delta variant. The social distancing Level 4 measures in the Seoul metropolitan area, which began with the fourth wave, will ultimately be maintained for two months. In particular, as the high-intensity distancing measures have not achieved the expected quarantine effect, starting tomorrow, the operating hours of restaurants and cafes will be shortened by one hour to further strengthen quarantine measures.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters, as of midnight on the 22nd, there were 1,628 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, bringing the total to 236,366. Although this number is over 200 fewer than the previous day (1,880 cases), the decrease reflects reduced testing over the weekend, making it difficult to conclude that the spread has slowed. Especially from this week, the impact of increased movement during the Liberation Day holiday period may become apparent.

The fourth wave is centered on the Seoul metropolitan area as in the early stages but is spreading to some non-metropolitan regions. On this day, there were 1,590 locally transmitted cases, with 493 in Seoul, 513 in Gyeonggi, and 64 in Incheon, accounting for 67.3% (1,070 cases) concentrated in the metropolitan area. In non-metropolitan regions, many new cases were added in Busan (111), Gyeongnam (56), Daegu and Chungnam (50 each), Gyeongbuk (48), Chungbuk (45), Ulsan (36), and Jeju (35).

Accordingly, the government has decided to extend the current social distancing measures for two more weeks: Level 4 in the metropolitan area and Level 3 in non-metropolitan areas (with Busan, Daejeon, and Jeju at Level 4). The Level 4 measures will be applied from the 23rd of this month until the 5th of next month. Notably, this decision includes some adjustments to the Level 4 distancing rules to tighten quarantine measures for restaurants and cafes.

First, restaurants and cafes in Level 4 areas will have their operating hours shortened to 9 PM. Previously, under Level 4, they could operate until 10 PM, so this is a one-hour advancement. After 9 PM, only takeout and delivery will be allowed.

The private gathering limit of two people after 6 PM will continue. However, for restaurants and cafes with shortened operating hours, gatherings of up to four people will be allowed if two of them are fully vaccinated.

Lee Ki-il, the first controller of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, explained, "To reduce infections in restaurants and cafes in Level 4 areas, only takeout and delivery will be allowed after 9 PM. However, considering the economic difficulties of restaurants and cafes and the effectiveness of vaccination, this is a minimal measure, and gatherings of up to four people are allowed between 6 PM and 9 PM if two are fully vaccinated."

The same principle applies to convenience stores. Eating on-site is prohibited after 9 PM in Level 4 areas and after 10 PM in Level 3 areas. On the other hand, karaoke rooms, indoor sports facilities, movie theaters, PC rooms, and academies can continue to operate until 10 PM as before.

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