[Report] "Honestly, It's Very Inconvenient" Cafe Quarantine Rules, Citizens Voice Complaints

Since the 6th, 'Strengthened Cafe Quarantine Rules'
Civilians "Wearing masks after drinking beverages... very inconvenient"
Cafe staff "Cannot emphasize this to customers"
Experts "Guidelines needed for safety even without masks"

Citizens spending time at a franchise cafe located in Myeongdong, Jung-gu, Seoul, visited on the 10th. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. Photo by Yeonju Kim, Intern Reporter yeonju1853@asiae.co.kr

[Asia Economy reporters Seunggon Han and intern Yeonju Kim] "Honestly, it seems a bit unrealistic." , "It is true that it is quite inconvenient."

Recently, after a cluster infection case of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) occurred at a coffee specialty shop in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, the quarantine authorities strengthened the quarantine rules inside cafes.

According to the supplemented quarantine rules, cafe users must wear masks at all times except when eating or drinking, minimize their stay time, and refrain from conversations.

However, citizens met at coffee specialty shops complained that due to the nature of cafe use, it would be difficult to properly follow such rules. They pointed out that the strengthened quarantine rules are practically unrealistic, such as taking off masks while drinking beverages and putting them back on when talking.

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) announced on the 7th that considering the occurrence of cluster infection cases related to cafes and the difficulty of wearing masks, the risk of infection transmission inside cafes is high, so they decided to supplement and add to the existing quarantine rules and implement them from the 6th.

According to the quarantine rules, cafe users must wear masks at all times except when drinking beverages, including when entering the cafe, waiting to order, moving, or talking.

They are also advised to avoid using cafes during crowded hours and, if unavoidable, to take out or minimize their stay time. Additionally, when using cafes, users should refrain from using tables adjacent to other customers, sit in a zigzag pattern or face one direction, and use outdoor tables.

The problem is whether cafe users properly follow the strengthened quarantine rules. At a cafe in the Myeongdong area of Jung-gu, Seoul, visited around 1 p.m. on the 10th, many customers were seen not properly following the supplemented guidelines.

Table spacing emphasized by the quarantine authorities and maintaining distance inside the cafe were not observed. Except for large franchise cafes, there were no stickers guiding social distancing in front of the order counters.

On the 10th, a notice about COVID-19 prevention guidelines was posted at the order counter of a franchise cafe in Myeongdong, Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yeonju Kim, intern reporter yeonju1853@asiae.co.kr

Citizens met that day pointed out that the quarantine authorities' guideline to wear masks at all times except when consuming food lacks realism. Cafe employees and managers know the quarantine guidelines but expressed difficulty in enforcing them on customers.

Office worker A (30, female) said, "We come to cafes to drink beverages, but we also need break time," and added, "Taking masks on and off is unreasonable, and it basically feels like they want us to drink beverages without saying a word, which seems unrealistic."

A said, "We try to keep social distancing, but when there are many people, it is unavoidable. Most office workers use cafes during commuting or lunch hours, so crowds are inevitable," and added, "Also, if employees are not standing and watching customers, how can they tell whether customers are talking or drinking?"

Cafe employee B said, "Since the recent cluster infection at a cafe, employees have been more attentive," but added, "Although the principle is to always wear masks, it is difficult to enforce when customers do not comply."

He explained, "Especially during crowded times like lunch hours, many tables are occupied at once," and "There is a crowd from the order waiting line, so it is realistically difficult to emphasize social distancing."

Some citizens were even unaware that the quarantine guidelines had been strengthened. Office worker C in her 20s said, "These days, I only knew that masks must be worn everywhere, but I didn't know there were separate quarantine rules for restaurants or cafes."

Office worker D in her 40s said, "Even if it is a recommendation, if people know about it, they would try to follow it, but I didn't even know such rules existed," and added, "I think there should at least be a poster for guidance."

Experts emphasized the need for clear quarantine guidelines for places with concerns about cluster infections, such as cafes and restaurants.

Professor Joong-sik Um, an infectious disease specialist at Gachon University Gil Medical Center, said, "We need to set and regulate quarantine guidelines for facilities like cafes and restaurants to prevent infections," and emphasized, "There are parts of the current quarantine guidelines that are difficult to follow on site."

He added, "It is somewhat unrealistic to require masks in facilities where food is consumed," and suggested, "Facilities should be made safe enough so that it is safe to take off masks due to their characteristics."