[Q&A] Restaurants and Cafes in the Seoul Metropolitan Area Remain Open Until 10 PM... Unvaccinated Individuals Not Allowed to Attend Baseball Games

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] The government has made the final adjustment to 'social distancing' on the 15th ahead of the phased return to normal life (With Corona) scheduled for next month. This adjustment is characterized by the relaxation of quarantine standards centered on fully vaccinated individuals. The application period is two weeks from the 18th to the 31st. We have summarized the questions about the changed social distancing measures.

Q. Why was the operating hours extension not applied to restaurants and cafes in the metropolitan area?

A. Restaurants and cafes in level 3 areas extended their operating hours from 10 PM to 12 AM. Although there were discussions about extending hours in level 4 areas as well, it was not included in this social distancing adjustment due to concerns over the severe quarantine situation. In particular, the metropolitan area accounts for over 80% of new domestic cases today. However, with the College Scholastic Ability Test approaching on November 18, facilities such as study cafes and reading rooms are allowed to operate until midnight.

Q. How many people are allowed in private gatherings in the metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas, respectively?

A. In the metropolitan area under level 4, from the 18th, the number of people allowed in private gatherings will increase to a maximum of 8 including fully vaccinated individuals. Regardless of time, unvaccinated persons can gather up to 4 people, and including fully vaccinated persons, up to 8 people can gather in all multi-use facilities. In level 3 areas, the number of unvaccinated persons remains at 4 as before, but the gathering size expands to up to 10 people including fully vaccinated individuals.

Q. Although the number of people allowed in private gatherings in the metropolitan area increased from 6 to 8, it remains the same when considering only fully vaccinated individuals?

A. The government has given much thought to the number of people allowed in private gatherings. They considered the current vaccination completion rate exceeding 60%. In this social distancing adjustment, the number of people allowed in private gatherings increased from 6 to 8 including fully vaccinated individuals (4 unvaccinated + 4 fully vaccinated). Compositions such as 2 unvaccinated + 6 fully vaccinated were also considered, but due to criticisms that the criteria divided around 6 PM were complicated, the time distinction was removed to increase acceptance on the ground and simplify the private gathering standards.

The government announced on the 15th that it will maintain the current social distancing system for two weeks starting from the 18th and relax the private gathering restrictions to a maximum of 8 people in the metropolitan area and up to 10 people in non-metropolitan areas. On the same day, a restaurant owner in Jongno-gu, Seoul, is writing down information related to social distancing at the restaurant. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

Q. Are unvaccinated individuals in the metropolitan area prohibited from watching sports games such as baseball and soccer?

A. In the metropolitan area under level 4, unvaccinated individuals are still not allowed to watch sports games such as baseball or soccer, as before. Only fully vaccinated individuals are allowed to watch sports games.

Q. Is eating and drinking allowed for fully vaccinated individuals during sports game viewing?

A. Currently, in level 4 areas, fully vaccinated individuals are allowed to watch sports games, but all other quarantine rules apply equally. Accordingly, masks must be worn, and eating or drinking, which poses a risk of mask removal, is also prohibited. Actions that increase the risk of droplet emission, such as shouting and cheering, are also banned.

Q. Can 8 people exercise together at a golf course?

A. Yes. In the metropolitan area under level 4, previously, private gatherings including fully vaccinated individuals were limited to a maximum of 6 people only in restaurants, cafes, and homes, but now the same rule applies to all facilities with up to 8 people (4 unvaccinated + 4 fully vaccinated). The same principle applies to any facility, including golf courses.

Q. Weddings can have up to 250 people. What if the wedding was prepared according to previous social distancing regulations?

A. The current wedding guidelines have been simplified to allow up to 250 people (49 unvaccinated + 201 fully vaccinated) regardless of whether meals are served in levels 3 and 4. However, since under previous social distancing rules, weddings without meal service allowed up to 199 people (99 unvaccinated + 100 fully vaccinated), there is concern that those who prepared weddings accordingly might be disadvantaged. Therefore, this will also be recognized. Accordingly, if a wedding was prepared with up to 199 attendees without meal service, that can be maintained, or it can be changed to allow up to 250 people.

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