Compliance with quarantine rules such as wearing masks and banning choirs required
Hankyochong "Will continue consultations with health authorities"
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Ju-hyung] Starting from the 20th, restrictions on the number of attendees for indoor worship services in churches in the Seoul metropolitan area will be eased.
The Korea Christian Federation (HanGyoChong) stated in a letter sent to its member denominations on the 18th, "From the 20th, Sunday worship services in the metropolitan area can be held under the eased attendance restrictions," adding, "Although the quarantine authorities maintain 'gathering restrictions' on churches, they have effectively expanded the number of worship attendees by easing restrictions for personnel involved in video streaming."
According to HanGyoChong, previously, only up to 20 essential personnel for producing non-face-to-face worship videos were allowed to attend indoor worship services in metropolitan area churches. However, under the eased policy starting from the 20th, worship services in rooms with 300 or more seats will allow fewer than 50 attendees, and those with fewer than 300 seats will allow up to 20 attendees. If there are other worship rooms within the church, relay worship services can be conducted based on the 300-seat standard.
Regarding this, HanGyoChong emphasized, "For all church gatherings to remain unharmed, every church must succeed in COVID-19 prevention," and added, "Since it is still a difficult time, we hope all churches will do their best in quarantine efforts."
Even if gathering restrictions are partially eased in practice, churches must still comply with quarantine guidelines. HanGyoChong presented the following quarantine rules for worship rooms: △ constant mask-wearing △ prohibition of food consumption △ minimizing the duration of stay △ maintaining a distance of 2 meters (at least 1 meter) between people △ thorough ventilation and disinfection during worship △ strict hand hygiene including hand sanitizing △ suspension of choir activities △ wearing masks during special singing performances followed by solo singing.
They also stressed, "We will continue to consult with quarantine authorities according to the number of confirmed cases and the level of social distancing."
However, some netizens expressed concerns that easing gathering restrictions prematurely while COVID-19 spread has not clearly declined could lead to cluster infections in churches. According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters, as of midnight on the 18th, the daily number of new COVID-19 cases reached 126, marking the 36th consecutive day of triple-digit confirmed cases.
Netizens shared worries such as, "The spread is not decreasing easily, so it seems premature. What if cluster infections occur again?" and "Many church members who diligently follow quarantine rules and attend non-face-to-face worship services think this is too soon."
Another netizen wrote on social networking services (SNS), "If restrictions are lifted like this and confirmed cases increase, will they blame the church again then?"
On the other hand, some argued that "churches cannot be forced to hold only non-face-to-face worship forever." One netizen claimed, "There must be a balance between quarantine and daily life. If strict quarantine rules are well followed, face-to-face worship can also be safe."
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