Jeju Island Strengthens 'Social Distancing' from the 18th... Private Gatherings Limited to 4 People

Published 17 Dec.2021 09:23(KST)

[Jeju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Park Chang-won] Jeju Special Self-Governing Province will implement strengthened COVID-19 social distancing measures for 16 days from the 18th to January 2nd of next year.

According to Jeju Province on the 17th, these distancing measures include reducing the limit on private gatherings nationwide to 4 people from the current 6 in the metropolitan area and 8 in non-metropolitan areas, and restricting the operating hours of restaurants and cafes to 9 PM, in accordance with the government's strengthened distancing measures.

The basic direction focuses on blocking infections among the unvaccinated, who account for half of the severe and fatal cases, and minimizing personal contact to eliminate risk factors.

The temporary strengthening of distancing measures aims to secure time for expanding the third vaccination dose and increasing medical capacity, suppress severe and fatal cases, and establish a foundation for the continuous promotion of phased daily recovery.

Accordingly, while private gatherings of up to 8 people were originally allowed in the Jeju area, during this strengthened measure period, gatherings are limited to 4 people regardless of vaccination status.

However, existing exceptions such as cohabiting family members, care for children, elderly, and disabled persons will continue to be maintained.

This is to minimize personal contact considering seasonal factors such as increased year-end and New Year’s parties and indoor activities.

In restaurants and cafes, only up to 4 people who have completed vaccination are allowed, and unvaccinated individuals may use the facilities only alone.

Operating hours for multi-use facilities are also restricted to 9 PM or 10 PM.

This takes into account the increased risk of infection when nighttime activities continue, combining gatherings involving alcohol consumption where droplet emission and mask-wearing are difficult.

Entertainment facilities, restaurants and cafes, karaoke rooms, bathhouses, and indoor sports facilities may operate only until 9 PM.

Cinemas, performance halls, arcades, multi-rooms, casinos, PC rooms, academies, massage and therapy centers, and party rooms are restricted until 10 PM.

In addition to limiting the number of people in private gatherings, the scale of large events and assemblies will be reduced, and the criteria for applying the vaccine pass will be strengthened.

For events and assemblies, gatherings under 50 people are allowed regardless of vaccination status, but for 50 or more attendees, only up to 299 fully vaccinated persons are permitted.

The vaccine pass application will also be expanded to include official and essential business activities, exhibitions, fairs, and international conferences that were previously exempt.

Further detailed measures for some facilities such as religious institutions will be reviewed and additional guidance will be provided soon.

In this regard, Jeju Province plans to strengthen focused guidance and inspections by sector to ensure stable progress in the transition to daily recovery and to block infection spread during the year-end and New Year period.

Since the risk of further spread remains due to easing distancing, winter season entry, and decreased immunity, basic quarantine rules such as ▲wearing masks ▲Jeju Safe Code certification ▲regular ventilation ▲immediate testing when symptomatic must be strictly followed.

Along with this, to safely transition to phased daily recovery, vaccination rates must increase, so unvaccinated individuals are strongly urged to get vaccinated.

To ensure compliance, focused management and crackdowns will be conducted targeting high-risk multi-use facilities such as entertainment venues.

Im Tae-bong, head of the Jeju COVID-19 Response Task Force, said, “Please join us in a temporary pause for the next two weeks to wisely overcome the year-end and New Year COVID-19 spread crisis,” and added, “We ask everyone to stop all gatherings, appointments, and events, refrain from going out, and participate in vaccination and the third dose.”