Gwangju City Expands Private Gatherings to Include Up to 10 People Including Fully Vaccinated Individuals

Operating Hours Extended Until Midnight for Restaurants and More

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Gwangju Metropolitan City will maintain social distancing at level 3 but will ease some quarantine rules.

On the 15th, Gwangju Mayor Lee Yong-seop announced in a briefing that all private gatherings will be allowed up to a maximum of 10 people, increased from the current 8.

However, those who have not completed vaccination can still gather only up to 4 people as before.

Gatherings and events are allowed up to 49 people as before, and only vaccinated individuals can be added for a maximum participation of 99 people. However, assemblies and demonstrations are limited to 49 people without exception.

Vaccinated individuals refer to those who have passed 14 days after their second dose.

Quarantine rules for some livelihood facilities will also be eased.

Operating hours for restaurants, cafes, six types of entertainment facilities, and singing practice rooms, which were allowed to operate until 10 PM, will be extended by 2 hours until midnight.

Operations are restricted from midnight to 5 AM, and restaurants and cafes can only offer takeout and delivery during this time.

If confirmed cases occur due to violation of quarantine rules at these facilities, the business will be suspended for 3 weeks according to the principle of autonomous responsibility in quarantine.

Also, weddings can have up to 250 attendees, including up to 49 unvaccinated individuals, regardless of whether meals are provided.

From the 18th, shower facilities will be allowed to operate in indoor and outdoor sports facilities.

Sports game viewing is allowed up to 20% capacity indoors and 30% outdoors as before, and large-scale sports competitions can be held only if a minimum number of participants are vaccinated individuals.

Religious facilities can conduct religious activities within 20% of capacity as before, and can accommodate up to 30% including vaccinated individuals. However, prohibitions on small gatherings, meals, and lodging remain in place.

Additionally, direct sales promotion centers will have no operating hour restrictions, and lodging facilities will have no room operation restrictions.

The mayor said, “Currently, our city’s vaccination completion rate is 61.9% of the total population (77% for the first dose), and it is expected to reach the herd immunity threshold of 70% soon,” adding, “Although expectations for daily life recovery are growing with the increase in vaccination rates, relaxing vigilance could again lead to the spread of COVID-19.”

He continued, “The best way to prevent COVID-19 infection is to thoroughly follow quarantine rules such as vaccination and wearing masks,” and emphasized, “Citizens are urged to get tested immediately at nearby screening clinics if they have suspected COVID-19 symptoms and to actively participate in vaccination.”

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