Restaurants and Cafes Open Only Until 9 PM... Unvaccinated Individuals Allowed Only Solo Use, Takeout, and Delivery

Announcement of Strengthened Social Distancing Measures

Cinemas, performance venues, and PC rooms open until 10 PM
Introduction of quarantine pass validity period postponed by 2 weeks to the 3rd of next month

From the 20th, overcrowded schools in the metropolitan area and non-metropolitan overcrowded schools to reduce density to two-thirds

The spread of COVID-19 and the strengthening of quarantine measures are deepening the worries of self-employed workers. On the 16th, a mask-wearing notice was posted at a restaurant in Jung-gu, Seoul.
Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy reporters Chunhee Lee, Jinju Han, Jeongyun Lee] The most notable feature of the strengthened “social distancing” measures, which the government will implement nationwide from the 18th, is the urgent imposition of uniform emergency measures across the country. Moreover, access to restaurants and cafes will be effectively restricted for unvaccinated individuals, and the permitted scale of events and gatherings has been drastically reduced. The introduction of the validity period for the vaccination certificate and negative test confirmation system (quarantine pass), originally scheduled for the 20th, has been postponed by two weeks to the 3rd of next month.

According to the enhanced distancing measures announced by the government on the 16th, the previously expected separate standards for the metropolitan area and non-metropolitan areas regarding limits on private gatherings have been unified nationwide, allowing only up to 4 people. This is the first time in three months, since September 5, that gatherings of 5 or more people have been regulated uniformly across the country.

Gatherings of unvaccinated individuals at restaurants and cafes are effectively prohibited without a negative PCR test certificate. While the government introduced mandatory quarantine passes for restaurants and cafes, considering the essential nature of their use, gatherings including one unvaccinated person were previously allowed freely. However, going forward, this will be further restricted so that unvaccinated individuals who are not exempt from the quarantine pass will only be allowed to dine or drink alone (“honbap” - eating alone, “honkeo” - drinking coffee alone), or use takeout and delivery services. This aims to significantly reduce the risk of transmission by unvaccinated persons. Exceptions remain for those with a negative PCR test, individuals under 18, COVID-19 recoverees, and those exempted from vaccination for medical reasons.

Restrictions on operating hours for multi-use facilities, which previously applied only to the highest-risk Group 1 entertainment facilities (until midnight), have been reinstated. Entertainment facilities with a high risk of droplet transmission and Group 2 facilities (restaurants, cafes, karaoke rooms, bathhouses, gyms) may operate only until 9 PM. Facilities with somewhat lower risk, such as movie theaters, performance halls, arcades, PC rooms, academies, and party rooms (Group 3), may operate until 10 PM.

Regarding academies, considering the ongoing university entrance exam schedule, except for lifelong vocational education academies, youth entrance exam academies will not be subject to operating hour restrictions. However, in regions like Seoul and Gyeonggi where local ordinances limit academy teaching hours to 10 PM, academies may operate only until 10 PM regardless of quarantine measures.

The permitted scale of large events and gatherings, which could accommodate up to 499 people with the use of quarantine passes, will also be reduced. Currently, events without vaccination distinction can have up to 99 people, and those applying the quarantine pass can have 100 to 499 participants. From the 18th, events without vaccination distinction will be limited to 49 people, and those applying the quarantine pass will allow 50 to 299 participants. Events previously exempt from the quarantine pass, such as shareholder meetings and National Assembly sessions, will now require quarantine pass application if 50 or more people gather.

To avoid confusion among couples planning weddings this weekend, weddings may choose to apply either the existing standard of 250 people total (49 unvaccinated and 201 vaccinated) or the new general event standards.

The Ministry of Education plans to adjust the density of all schools in the metropolitan area and overcrowded schools in non-metropolitan areas to two-thirds capacity from the 20th until winter vacation, one month after full in-person classes resumed. For elementary schools, grades 1 and 2 will have full attendance, while grades 3 to 6 will attend at three-quarters capacity. Middle and high schools will operate at two-thirds capacity. Kindergartens, special classes (schools), after-school care programs, and small or rural schools will operate normally. Universities are also recommended to switch large lectures, theory, and general education classes to online formats.

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