From Today, '4-Person Limit' Reinstated... 'Care' Exception, Not Applied When Accompanied by Grandparents or Parents [Issue Q&A]

Reunions Are Private Gatherings... Event Standards Do Not Apply
Religious Facilities Allow Up to 70% Attendance Only If Composed of Fully Vaccinated Individuals

10 PM Restriction for Cinemas and Theaters Applies to 'End' Time, Not Screening Start

On the 17th, when the government announced strengthened social distancing measures until the end of the year due to the rapid increase in COVID-19 confirmed cases, Myeongdong in Jung-gu, Seoul, appeared quiet. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] From the 18th, the 'gradual recovery of daily life (With Corona)' will stop, and high-intensity social distancing will return. We have summarized frequently asked questions about the return to high-intensity social distancing just 47 days after the start of With Corona.

Q. Will unvaccinated people be prohibited from using restaurants and cafes?

A. No. Without a negative PCR test certificate, gatherings are not allowed, but single-person use is possible without a negative test. Previously, unvaccinated individuals could gather in restaurants and cafes without a negative test, but this criterion has been significantly tightened. Until the 17th, one person in a group did not have to present a quarantine pass, but from the 18th, all members must present a quarantine pass.

Q. The exception to the private gathering limit includes 'cases requiring care.' Can grandparents, parents, and two children gather together to care for a child?

A. This violates the private gathering limit. Exceptions for children (under 12 years old), elderly, disabled, and others requiring care are recognized. However, this generally refers to cases where professional caregivers (such as care workers, babysitters, disability assistants, etc.) are needed.

However, local governments may recognize exceptions when parents are both working or in single-parent families and care by relatives is unavoidably needed for livelihood reasons. But since this is only when parents are absent and care is unavoidably needed, if parents are present with their children, the authorities explain that grandparental care is not necessarily required, so it is considered a violation of the gathering limit.

Q. A family consists of parents and three children. Two children who study in another region will soon return to the family home. Can they dine out together?

A. Cohabiting families are exempt from private gathering limits. To prove this, they must show evidence such as a resident registration certificate that they actually live together and share a livelihood. Even if they live apart due to study or work and meet during vacations or weekends, they are classified as cohabiting family. In this case, a family relation certificate can be used to prove cohabitation.

Q. Can large-scale event standards be applied to New Year's parties, year-end parties, alumni meetings, etc.?

A. These gatherings are basically private meetings limited to four people. To be classified as a non-private event, it must be organized by public institutions, corporations, companies, or legal entities, and the event must be for purposes other than private socializing, such as achieving the organizer’s founding objectives, with schedules and programs announced in advance, fulfilling formal requirements.

When public institutions hold 'business luncheons,' if composed only of fully vaccinated persons, events with dining are allowed. Corporate award ceremonies are not private gatherings and can be held, but meals following the ceremony are considered private gatherings.

Q. A couple is planning a wedding this weekend. How many people can attend?

A. The maximum number of attendees is reduced from 499 to 299. Previously, weddings could choose between two standards: up to 250 attendees combining 49 unvaccinated and 201 vaccinated persons, or up to 499 attendees regardless of vaccination status under general large-scale event standards with quarantine passes.

This approach remains, but with the reduction in large-scale event criteria, the maximum attendance is cut by about 40%. Going forward, they can choose either the 49 unvaccinated plus 201 vaccinated standard, or up to 49 attendees regardless of vaccination status, or 50 to 299 attendees with quarantine passes.

The number of people allowed to participate in regular activities such as worship at religious facilities will be reduced starting from the 18th. When including unvaccinated individuals, only up to 30% of the seats (maximum 299 people) can be occupied, and even when only fully vaccinated individuals attend, only up to 70% of the seats can be filled. The photo shows a social distancing notice and hand sanitizer placed at the entrance of Yoido Full Gospel Church in Seoul on the 17th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Q. Are quarantine rules for religious facilities also being strengthened?

Separately from the social distancing strengthening plan, on the 17th, enhanced quarantine measures for religious facilities were announced. For regular religious activities such as Mass, Buddhist services, and worship, if unvaccinated persons, children, or adolescents participate, attendance is limited to 30% of the venue capacity (up to 299 people). If composed only of fully vaccinated persons, up to 70% attendance is allowed.

For the 70% attendance criterion, the standard is not a quarantine pass but fully vaccinated persons who are 14 days past their second vaccine dose or have received a third dose. Those exempt from quarantine passes, such as PCR negative testers, children and adolescents under 18, COVID-19 recovered persons, and those medically exempted from vaccination, cannot attend.

Q. Are exceptions for outdoor sports like baseball and soccer maintained?

A. The exemption from private gathering limits for gatherings at outdoor sports venues for the purpose of 'sports game progress' is maintained. However, maximum numbers and quarantine pass application must be observed. The maximum number is 1.5 times the essential game personnel: 27 for baseball and 33 for soccer. Unlike other multi-use facilities, referees and game officials are included in the limit count. Also, those exceeding the 4-person limit (23 for baseball, 29 for soccer) must all be quarantine pass holders or exceptions.

Q. Are operating hour restrictions such as closing at 10 PM applied to academies?

A. Academies, classified as risk group 3 multi-use facilities, are generally allowed to operate only until 10 PM. However, considering ongoing university entrance exams, academies are exempt from operating hour restrictions. Only lifelong vocational education academies such as TOEIC academies are subject to the 10 PM closing rule. However, if local governments impose operating hour restrictions by ordinance, these must be followed. In Seoul and Gyeonggi regions, even without quarantine operating hour restrictions, academies must close by 10 PM as per local ordinances.

A view of a cafe in downtown Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

Q. Can year-end broadcasting award ceremonies and singer concerts be held?

A. For broadcasting production and transmission activities considered essential business operations, quarantine passes will be applied to events such as award ceremonies. If composed only of fully vaccinated persons, there is no attendance limit for production and participation. Production staff are excluded from the headcount.

Some large-scale concerts held around Christmas and year-end are likely to be canceled. Events exceeding 300 people in non-regular venues are generally prohibited and may only be held exceptionally with prior approval from relevant ministries. However, until January 2 of next year when these measures apply, the government plans to cancel or postpone already approved performances considering the severe quarantine situation.

Q. If I booked a movie that ends at 10:30 PM, can I watch it?

A. Operating hour regulations for movie theaters and performance halls are based on the end time of the screening or performance, not the start time. Therefore, if the scheduled end time is after 10 PM, the screening or performance cannot proceed. Currently, theaters are canceling or rescheduling all existing bookings accordingly.

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