Small Business Owners: "Meaningless Social Distancing Measures... Immediate Guarantee of Freedom to Operate"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] The Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise Associations (KFMEA) demanded on the 1st that the government "immediately guarantee the freedom to operate for small business owners and self-employed individuals" in response to the government's adjustment of social distancing measures.

In a statement released that day, KFMEA said, "We cannot accept the current quarantine policy that only enforces quarantine responsibilities on small business owners."

The government, regarding social distancing measures, announced that starting next week, the maximum number of people allowed in private gatherings will be increased to 10, and business hours restrictions will be extended until midnight.

KFMEA expressed, "We had high expectations for this revision, but it is disappointing that the business restrictions continue with only a one-hour extension of operating hours, falling short of small business owners' hopes."

They reiterated, "The current social distancing quarantine policy, which unilaterally forces sacrifices only on small business owners and self-employed individuals, is a meaningless quarantine policy and must be immediately abolished."

Finally, they stated, "With the officialization of the 50 trillion won scale loss compensation pledged by President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol and discussions underway for the second supplementary budget," and urged, "We ask the political circles to unite their efforts for smooth and prompt loss compensation."

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