Gyeonggi-do Extends 'Usage Restrictions' for 45,000 Places Including PC Rooms, Karaoke Rooms, and Academies

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Gyeonggi Province has extended the administrative order restricting the use of a total of 45,607 places, including 12,516 PC rooms, karaoke rooms, and clubs, as well as 33,091 academies and private institutes, until the 19th of this month.

The usage restriction targets by industry include 7,620 karaoke practice rooms, 4,751 PC rooms, 145 club-type establishments?three types of multi-use facilities?and 22,936 academies and 10,155 private institutes.

Among these establishments, 65 club-type entertainment venues such as nightclubs, adult karaoke bars, cabarets, and stand bars are also included. Currently, 29 of these venues have ceased operations, while 36 are still operating.

These facilities must operate in compliance with seven quarantine rules: ▲ designation of an infection control officer ▲ all users and workers must wear masks ▲ symptomatic individuals are prohibited from entry (workers are checked twice daily) ▲ preparation and management of user logs ▲ hand sanitization for all entrants ▲ maintaining maximum possible distance between users ▲ regular ventilation and disinfection and cleaning once before and after business hours.

In the case of academies and private institutes, in addition to the above, they must comply with a total of eight rules, including disinfecting frequently touched places and objects such as door handles and railings.

Failure to comply will result in prohibition of business and use under the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act, criminal penalties (a fine of up to 3 million KRW), and, if confirmed cases occur, claims for quarantine costs and other measures.

Previously, the province issued administrative orders restricting "close contact use" for multi-use facility industries from the 18th of last month to the 6th of this month, and for academies and private institutes from the 25th of last month to the 6th of this month.

After a guidance period, as of the implementation inspection starting on the 24th of last month (28th for academies and private institutes), no establishments have yet received disciplinary decisions.

A provincial official urged, "As the government is implementing a policy to strengthen high-intensity social distancing, active cooperation from these establishments is necessary to prevent cluster infections."