Government: "Current Private Gathering Standards Are Complex... Need for Simplification and Integration" (Update)

On the 30th, 2,564 new COVID-19 cases were reported, marking the highest number of daily cases for a week straight. Citizens visiting the temporary screening clinic set up at Seoul Station Plaza are waiting to get tested. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] The government is expected to simplify the current complex private gathering restriction criteria.

Son Young-rae, head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, stated at the COVID-19 briefing on the 30th, "We currently judge that the private gathering restriction criteria are not a major issue. However, due to the complexity of the private gathering restriction system itself, we feel the need to simplify and integrate it for the 'gradual recovery to daily life' in November."

Currently, in level 4 areas such as the metropolitan area, up to 4 people can meet until 6 p.m., and only up to 2 people after that. However, in restaurants, cafes, and homes, vaccine incentives apply, allowing up to 6 people to gather, with 2 fully vaccinated individuals allowed to join until 6 p.m., and 4 fully vaccinated individuals allowed after 6 p.m.

Regarding the recent COVID-19 outbreak situation, Son mentioned that the situation should be monitored until next week before making a judgment. He said, "We are observing the weekly trend line," and added, "The overall scale of the outbreak is clearly increasing."

He added, "The daily confirmed cases are greatly influenced by the number of tests conducted the previous day, so the sharp increase in confirmed cases after the Chuseok holiday is partly due to increased testing. It is too early to evaluate whether the increase in confirmed cases is stepwise, so we need to observe until around next week to assess the outbreak situation."

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