[Issue Q&A] 'Half Recovery' D-1, How Will Daily Life Change Starting Tomorrow?

Up to 10 People in the Capital Area and 12 in Non-Capital Areas Allowed to Gather
Actual Lifting of Business Restrictions from Evening of November 1 Amid 'Halloween' Concerns

Recovered Patients After Infection Subject to 'Quarantine Pass' Like Fully Vaccinated
PCR Negative Confirmation Valid for '48 Hours + α'

On the 31st, one day before the implementation of Step 1 of the "Phased Daily Recovery (With Corona)," the streets of Myeongdong, Seoul, are bustling with citizens. Starting tomorrow, up to 10 people can gather in the metropolitan area and up to 12 people in non-metropolitan areas, and most facilities such as restaurants and cafes will have their operating restrictions lifted, allowing 24-hour operation. However, in restaurants and cafes, only up to 4 people who have not completed vaccination can gather. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] The "gradual return to daily life (With Corona)" is just one day away. Nighttime operations of bars, PC rooms, and other venues that were previously banned will be allowed, and banned items like "movie theater popcorn" and "baseball stadium chicken and beer" will return. However, private gatherings of 13 or more people and the use of gyms and karaoke rooms by unvaccinated individuals remain prohibited or are only allowed with restrictions.

In this regard, we have summarized the details of the gradual return to daily life plan, which will be implemented from the 1st of next month.

Q. The limit on private gathering sizes changes to 10 people in the metropolitan area and 12 people in non-metropolitan areas. How many unvaccinated people can gather?

A. The current distinction between vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals in the private gathering size limits will be removed. In non-metropolitan areas, even those who have not yet passed 14 days since completing vaccination can gather up to 12 people. However, since mask-wearing is difficult during eating and drinking in restaurants and cafes, which increases the risk of infection, unvaccinated individuals can only use these facilities together up to a maximum of 4 people.

Q. When will gatherings of 11 or more people in the metropolitan area and 13 or more in non-metropolitan areas be allowed?

A. The complete removal of private gathering size limits will occur in the third and final phase of the three-step easing of quarantine measures. Considering that the government plans to implement each phase for 4 weeks followed by a 2-week evaluation, it is expected to be possible around mid-January next year. However, the actual schedule may be moved forward or delayed depending on vaccination rates, the number of severe cases or deaths, and healthcare system capacity.

On the afternoon of the 29th, citizens dressed as characters from the Netflix original series "Squid Game" were taking commemorative photos in Itaewon World Food Street, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, where crowds had gathered. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Q. I understand that the current social distancing phase is in effect until midnight on the 31st. Will bars and similar venues be allowed to operate 24 hours starting at 0:00 on the 1st of next month?

A. No. Unlike other phased quarantine easing measures, the restriction on operating hours for multi-use facilities will only be lifted starting at 5 a.m. on the 1st. Since the usual operating hour restrictions apply from 10 p.m. or midnight until 5 a.m. the next day, the same restrictions will apply until early morning on the 1st. This measure reflects concerns that on the 31st, which is Halloween Day, large crowds gather in entertainment districts, and businesses might close at 10 p.m. and then reopen at midnight on the 1st to take advantage of the crowd. Therefore, nighttime operations at multi-use facilities will effectively be allowed starting with evening operations on the 1st of next month.

Q. How long is the validity period of a negative result certificate from a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test issued to enter facilities subject to the "quarantine pass (vaccination certificate/negative test confirmation)"?

A. The negative certificate is valid for 48 hours after issuance. Both official PCR negative certificates and negative test notification text messages are recognized. Even after 48 hours, the certificate remains valid until midnight of the expiration day. For example, if a certificate is issued at 2 p.m. on Monday, its validity period is until midnight on Wednesday, not 2 p.m. on Wednesday.

Q. Who qualifies as an "exception to COVID-19 vaccination due to medical reasons" exempt from the quarantine pass?

A. This includes individuals who experienced serious adverse reactions such as anaphylaxis, thrombocytopenic thrombosis syndrome (TTS), capillary leak syndrome, myocarditis/pericarditis, Guillain-Barr? syndrome after the first dose, as well as immunodeficient persons or patients undergoing immunosuppressant or anticancer drug treatment. Those who participated in clinical trials for domestic COVID-19 vaccine development are also included. These individuals can visit public health centers with a doctor's diagnosis or clinical trial participation certificate to receive an exemption confirmation for the quarantine pass. If a serious adverse reaction has already been reported, they can obtain the exemption confirmation at the health center without additional documentation.

Q. COVID-19 recovered patients are also included in the quarantine pass exemption. How can recovered patients receive exemption recognition?

A. To receive the exemption benefit, recovered patients must visit their local public health center with their ID card after quarantine release to obtain a quarantine release confirmation. Authorities plan to establish an online system for issuing confirmation certificates around December. The quarantine release confirmation for exemption can be issued up to 6 months from the quarantine release date.

Q. Can recovered patients, PCR negative individuals, those exempted from vaccination for medical reasons, and children/adolescents use all facilities requiring the quarantine pass?

A. It depends. Recovered patients can use all quarantine pass facilities just like fully vaccinated individuals. However, PCR negative individuals cannot use entertainment facilities. Also, those exempted from vaccination for medical reasons and children/adolescents cannot use entertainment facilities, horse racing/bicycle racing/boat racing/casinos, visit medical institutions, or use elderly and disabled facilities.

On the afternoon of the 19th, baseball fans are watching the 2021 professional baseball game between Kiwoom and LG at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Songpa-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Q. Eating and drinking are currently prohibited in multi-use facilities except for restaurants and cafes. How will limited eating and drinking be allowed?

A. Authorities will first allow limited eating and drinking for quarantine pass holders only in indoor movie theaters and outdoor sports stadiums, then based on this, they are considering allowing eating and drinking in all multi-use facilities during the second phase of quarantine easing. In movie theaters, eating and drinking will be allowed inside screening rooms where only those with quarantine passes are admitted.

For sports stadiums, when unvaccinated individuals are mixed with others, the maximum allowed capacity is 50%, but if only quarantine pass holders are admitted, the capacity will be increased to 100%. Eating and drinking will also be freely permitted. Accordingly, the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) plans to admit spectators up to full capacity for the postseason starting on the 1st of next month. However, eating and drinking remain prohibited in indoor stadiums like Gocheok Sky Dome.

Q. Indoor mask-wearing has been emphasized as the last quarantine rule to be lifted. Until when will outdoor mask-wearing remain mandatory?

A. The outdoor mask-wearing mandate is expected to be lifted during the intermediate phase of the gradual return to daily life. Currently, the most likely plan under discussion is to lift it during the second phase of quarantine easing.

Q. After the implementation of the gradual return to daily life plan, will daily confirmed COVID-19 case numbers continue to be announced as before?

A. Once the gradual return to daily life begins, evaluation indicators for COVID-19 status will shift to severe case incidence, death rates, hospital bed occupancy, and vaccination completion rates. However, considering that a surge in confirmed cases may lead to changes in these indicators about two weeks later, health authorities plan to continue monitoring confirmed case numbers. Therefore, since confirmed case numbers remain an important supplementary indicator, they will continue to be announced regularly.

Q. If COVID-19 spreads during the gradual return to daily life and an emergency plan ("circuit breaker") is implemented, will the gradual return to daily life be reset?

A. The emergency plan is implemented when intensive care unit bed occupancy reaches 75% or more, or the 7-day moving average reaches 70% or more. When the emergency plan is activated, the return to daily life plan is suspended, and completely new strengthened quarantine measures are implemented. These include a significant expansion of vaccination certificate/negative test requirements and the reinstatement of operating hour restrictions for multi-use facilities. However, after the emergency plan is lifted, the system will return not to the initial phase but to the return to daily life framework that was in place before the emergency plan was implemented.

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