Seoul Metropolitan Area Level 4 Restrictions Extended for 2 Weeks... Weddings Allowed up to 199 People, Baseball and Soccer Club Matches Permitted

Last August, a wedding hall in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, was empty due to no weddings.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] As the fourth wave of COVID-19 resurgence reignites after Chuseok, the current social distancing levels of Level 4 in the metropolitan area and Level 3 in non-metropolitan areas will be extended for two more weeks. However, with the COVID-19 vaccination completion rate surpassing 50% and increased participation in vaccinations, the number of people allowed to attend weddings, first birthday parties (doljanchi), and outdoor sports facilities will be slightly increased starting from the 4th, but only for those who have completed vaccination.

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum chaired the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting on the morning of the 1st and explained, "Considering the intensified spread of COVID-19 after Chuseok and the two consecutive holidays starting this weekend, we have decided to maintain the current social distancing levels for the next two weeks." Restrictions on private gatherings will also remain unchanged.

As of midnight on the same day, the number of new COVID-19 cases was 2,486, marking over 2,000 cases for eight consecutive days. Accordingly, the weekly average number of domestically transmitted cases in the metropolitan area reached 1,987.7, showing a continuous upward trend. This is nearly double the Level 4 threshold of 1,000 cases per week.

On the other hand, except for Daegu, where infections related to foreign acquaintances' gatherings continue, the spread in non-metropolitan areas is not significant, and regions such as Busan, Jeonnam, and Jeju are in a situation where a downgrade to Level 2 is possible. However, since discrepancies in quarantine rules between regions could cause a balloon effect, it is expected that the current social distancing levels will be maintained.

On the morning of the 9th of last month, members of the National Newlywed Couples Association held a wreath protest in front of the Government Seoul Office, demanding improvements to the government's wedding quarantine guidelines. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Among these, vaccination incentives will be strengthened specifically for weddings, first birthday parties (doljanchi), and outdoor sports facilities, where de facto business restrictions have caused controversy over quarantine fairness. Lee Ki-il, the first controller of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, stated, "We have decided to adjust restrictions focusing on vaccinated individuals for some facilities facing difficulties in their livelihoods."

The number of attendees allowed at weddings, which sparked controversy including protests by prospective newlyweds, will increase up to 199 under Level 4 guidelines. Currently, under Level 4, attendance is limited to 49 people if meals are served and 99 people if meals are not served. Under Level 3, if a wedding hall separates spaces such as halls, attendance limits apply per space, allowing more than 100 attendees.

Going forward, if additional attendees are only vaccinated individuals beyond the existing limits, attendance will be allowed up to 99 people when meals are served and 199 people when meals are not served. In these cases, at least 50 and 100 vaccinated individuals must be included, respectively. Under Level 3, the same spatially separated attendance restrictions will apply.

Currently, first birthday parties (doljanchi), which were limited to a maximum of 16 people under Level 3 and within the usual private gathering limits under Level 4, can now host up to 49 people based on vaccinated attendees. For the 49-person limit, at least 33 vaccinated individuals under Level 3 and 45 (47 after 6 p.m.) vaccinated individuals under Level 4 must have completed vaccination and passed two weeks.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Due to changes in government quarantine guidelines, early morning soccer and amateur baseball games, which were prohibited in Level 4 areas, will be allowed again. Initially, the quarantine authorities had stated that with the introduction of new social distancing levels, games would be permitted regardless of private gathering limits up to 1.5 times the minimum number of players per sport. However, due to the resurgence of infections, these were restricted in Level 4 areas.

However, going forward, if only vaccinated individuals are added beyond the existing private gathering limits, normal game operations will be possible. For example, in baseball, where the standard is 27 people based on 9 players per team and 1.5 times the minimum players per sport, gatherings of up to 27 people are allowed if at least 23 (25 after 6 p.m.) are vaccinated. For soccer, up to 33 people can gather, provided at least 29 (31 after 6 p.m.) are vaccinated.

Regarding these adjustments to quarantine rules, Son Young-rae, head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters, said, "We are continuously trying to simplify various attendance restrictions and make the structure easier to understand in a clearer form." He explained that efforts are underway to unify attendance limit criteria into simplified numbers for easier public understanding. He also stated, "Going forward, these gathering limit expansions will continue step-by-step, and during this process, we are considering easing restrictions so that vaccinated individuals can use facilities and participate without limitations."

Regarding general private gathering limits, quarantine authorities will review them considering future vaccination rates and trends in infection spread. Controller Lee Ki-il said, "In this adjustment of social distancing, we are postponing adjustments to private gatherings in the metropolitan area for two weeks to observe the situation," adding, "Further social distancing adjustments will include discussions on these aspects as well."

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