[Report] As the Clock Struck 12, Youth Headed to Convenience Stores... First Day of Social Distancing Level 2.5

Seoul Hongdae and Yeongdeungpo Station Entertainment Districts Echo with Silence
Some Restaurants Caught by Police for Not Sending Customers Away
Patrons Leaving Bars Move to Convenience Store Outdoor Tables for 2nd and 3rd Rounds

At 12:10 AM on the 30th, when the government's social distancing level 2.5 measures were first applied, the outdoor tables installed in front of a convenience store in Hapjeong-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul were filled with citizens.
Photo by Byeongdon Yoo tamond@

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] “Since all the bars are closed, we came here. We’ll just have this and then leave.”

Just past midnight on the 30th, when the government’s social distancing level 2.5 measures were first implemented, the area in front of a convenience store in Hapjeong-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul was packed with groups of young people. The four outdoor tables set up by the convenience store had long been full. They bought soju, canned beer, and snacks from the store and chatted loudly while eating and drinking.

At the same time, the situation near Yeongdeungpo Station in Seoul was similar. The food alley, which would normally be bustling with people enjoying the weekend, was eerily quiet. Except for some restaurants offering delivery, all were closed, and only a few people wandering the alley could occasionally be seen. However, the convenience store with outdoor tables continued to attract visitors. Jin (24), an employee at the convenience store, said, “Usually, most customers buy cigarettes or hangover drinks, but today alcohol is selling the most,” adding, “I’m even wondering if we should remove all the outdoor tables starting tomorrow.”

To curb the recent surge of COVID-19 infections in the Seoul metropolitan area, enhanced social distancing measures will be in effect until the 6th of next month. However, despite the government’s measures, some citizens have not refrained from gathering or drinking outdoors.

On the 19th, the government strengthened social distancing measures in the metropolitan area to curb the explosive spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). On this day, a notice of business suspension was posted at a karaoke room in the Youth Street of Jonggak, Seoul. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, as of midnight on the 30th, quarantine measures for high-risk facilities in the metropolitan area have been strengthened. Accordingly, for the next week, restaurants are only allowed to offer takeout and delivery from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. the following day, and franchise cafes are prohibited from allowing customers to consume beverages inside the premises. Visits to nursing hospitals and facilities with a high concentration of elderly people are completely banned. Since it takes time for level 2 social distancing to take effect and considering the socio-economic impact of raising to level 3, the government has effectively implemented level 2.5.

As evidence of this, right after the measures began, entertainment districts across Seoul showed a different scene than usual. Most restaurants in the youth streets near Hongdae, the food alley in front of Yeongdeungpo Station, and entertainment areas near Gangnam Station turned off their lights and suspended operations. Only faint lights from a few restaurants offering takeout or delivery vaguely indicated their locations.

Of course, there were some disturbances. Some restaurants did not ask customers to leave past midnight, leading to clashes with police who arrived on site. In fact, at a large bar near Dangsan Station in Seoul, some customers were forcibly evicted by police patrolling the area after drinking past midnight. Also, at a street food stall in front of Yeongdeungpo Station, police intervened and dispersed customers who did not leave even after 12:20 a.m.

At around 12:10 AM on the 30th, when the government's social distancing level 2.5 measures were first applied, citizens were drinking alcohol at outdoor tables set up in front of a convenience store in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul.
Photo by Byungdon Yoo tamond@

Given this situation, some citizens headed to convenience stores with outdoor tables. Convenience stores are not subject to operational restrictions like restaurants, pubs, chicken shops, snack bars, fast food outlets, or bakeries, so they are not subject to crackdowns. Bae (36), drinking with friends at an outdoor table at a convenience store, said, “I met my friends after a long time, and we didn’t want to part just yet, so we came to the convenience store for a quick beer,” adding, “There are only four of us, and we sat a little apart, so isn’t it okay?”

Meanwhile, violating quarantine rules may result in a ban on gatherings at the facility or a fine of up to 3 million won. If confirmed cases arise due to gathering bans or violations of core quarantine rules, hospitalization and treatment costs, as well as quarantine-related damages (recovery claims), may be charged. It is expected that about 380,000 restaurants and bakeries in the metropolitan area will be affected by these measures.

Yoon Tae-ho, head of the quarantine team at the Central Accident Response Headquarters of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, said, “I earnestly appeal to the public. We are now at the last line of defense to suppress the spread in the metropolitan area,” emphasizing, “If this surge in the metropolitan area does not subside, the only option left in our hands is the drastic measure of raising social distancing to level 3.” He added, “Please stay safely at home not only for yourself but for all of us, and refrain from contact with others.”