New Social Distancing Adjustment Plan Considers Easing to '6 People - 10 PM - 3 Weeks'

Discussion on Extending Business Hours Instead of Easing Private Gathering Limits
Application Period May Be Extended to 3 Weeks Until Post-Presidential Election
Possibility of Maintaining Current Measures as Cases Approach 100,000

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] The government is reportedly considering extending business hours by one hour in the revised social distancing measures to be implemented from next week.

According to Yonhap News on the 17th, a senior government official said regarding the quarantine strategy meeting held that day, "Taking into account the damage to small business owners caused by strengthened distancing, we understand that there was discussion about extending the operating hours of restaurants and cafes from 9 PM to 10 PM by one hour."

The new social distancing period is likely to be set until the 13th of next month, three weeks later, considering the presidential election.

The government also considered increasing the limit on private gatherings from the current maximum of 6 people to 8 people, but as the number of COVID-19 confirmed cases approaches 100,000, it has shifted toward not easing the number of people allowed.

This is because easing both time and the number of people could be interpreted as excessively relaxing social distancing.

However, if the daily number of confirmed cases exceeds 100,000 as of midnight on the 18th, when the new social distancing adjustment is announced, there is a possibility that the plan will shift from '6 people - 10 PM' to 'maintaining the current measures.'

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