University Cafeteria Doors Reopened but Group Customers Disappeared... "Time Limits Are Meaningless"

Principle of In-Person Classes but Shift to Online as COVID Cases Rise
No Event Inquiries Like Gatherings... Meeting Few People Even When Attending School
"Sales Similar to Two Years Ago at Peak of COVID"

On the 4th, students of Korea University visited nearby commercial areas to have lunch.
Photo by Gong Byung-sun mydillon@

"Since the semester started, customers have increased by about 10%, but it's still tough" (Shinchon chicken restaurant owner)

"There are no inquiries related to events like after-parties. Although the semester has started, only two groups of six people each have come" (Shinchon samgyeopsal restaurant owner)

On the 4th, a report from the areas around Korea University and Yonsei University showed a quiet atmosphere despite the beginning of the semester. When lunchtime came, the streets began to fill with university students, but compared to before COVID-19, there were still fewer people.

Universities in Seoul have set face-to-face classes as the principle this year, but it has been confirmed that online classes are still being conducted concurrently. This is because the spread of the COVID-19 variant Omicron has not been contained recently.

Korea University has established a principle of conducting 80% of classes face-to-face but allows switching to online classes until the 15th of this month. Yonsei University also permits faculty discretion to choose between face-to-face or online classes for the first two weeks of the semester and to maintain the chosen method until midterms. Additionally, Sungkyunkwan University and Hanyang University have also set face-to-face classes as the principle and implemented various measures such as rotating attendance and real-time video lectures.

Students are also refraining from group gatherings. Kim (23), a student at Yonsei University, said, "I came to school to attend face-to-face classes with about 30 people," but added, "Since there are no movements for department or club events, I am meeting people in small groups." The scenes of students passing by encouraging club membership or sitting in groups of more than 10 on the grass chatting have become a thing of the past.

A business owner running a cafe inside Korea University said, "Sales are similar to when COVID-19 began spreading in 2020 because students have not returned yet," and added, "I feel the long passage of time as students who said they would join the military because of COVID-19 are starting to appear one by one." In front of Anam Station near Korea University, it was not uncommon to find stores with signs indicating they had closed down.

On the 4th, Yonsei University showed a quiet scene despite the start of the semester.
Photo by Oh Gyumin moh011@

Because of this, self-employed business owners are facing difficult situations. The spread of COVID-19 has intensified at a time when they should be receiving group customers for orientation or club meetings at the beginning of the semester. Certified real estate agent Mr. C (46) said, "There used to be many restaurants where you had to line up during lunchtime, but these days, such scenes are hard to see," and explained, "Restaurants that paid 100 million won in key money before COVID-19 are now in a situation where they cannot hold on."

In fact, restaurants right in front of universities had some student visits during lunchtime, but going just one alley deeper, it was hard to find people. Those who have long protected the university commercial districts agreed, saying, "Restrictions like 4 people at 9 o'clock, 6 people at 10 o'clock, 6 people at 11 o'clock no longer have meaning. Ineffective restrictions should be further lifted."

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