"All Social Distancing Measures Lifted" ... Except for 'Masks'

Lifting of Gathering Size and Business Hour Restrictions from the 18th
Decision on Outdoor Mask Mandate to Be Made in Two Weeks

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum is presiding over the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting for COVID-19 response held at the Government Seoul Office on the 15th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Social distancing measures implemented to curb the spread of COVID-19 will be lifted on the 18th. After 2 years and 1 month since social distancing was introduced in March 2020, all restrictions on private gathering sizes and operating hours for cafes and restaurants will be removed.

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum announced at a meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters held at the Government Seoul Office on the 15th, "The current restrictions on operating hours for multi-use facilities until midnight and the limit of up to 10 people for private gatherings will be fully lifted starting next Monday (the 18th)."

Restrictions on events and assemblies, currently allowed up to 299 people, and religious facility capacity limits capped at 70% will also be removed. From the 25th, the ban on eating and drinking in multi-use facilities such as movie theaters, indoor sports facilities, and religious facilities will be lifted. However, the mask-wearing mandate will be maintained for the time being.

Prime Minister Kim said, "Wearing masks indoors will inevitably be maintained for a considerable period," and added, "Regarding mask-wearing outdoors, which is relatively less risky, we will evaluate the quarantine situation after two weeks and make a decision."

Along with this, the government will adjust the COVID-19 infectious disease classification from Level 1 to Level 2 starting on the 25th. Prime Minister Kim stated, "Once the classification is fully adjusted, mandatory isolation will change to a recommendation, home treatment will be eliminated, and many other changes will occur," adding, "To minimize confusion, we will implement a four-week transition period and proceed step-by-step. Afterward, the new government will evaluate the implementation level and make a final decision on whether to fully transition."

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