Government Requests Active Public Cooperation for Chuseok Social Distancing Participation

Kang Do-tae, the 1st Senior Coordinator of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Vice Minister of Health and Welfare, left), is speaking while presiding over the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting on COVID-19 response at the Government Complex Sejong in Sejong City on the morning of the 21st. [Source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hana Na] Kang Do-tae, the 1st General Coordinator of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) and Vice Minister of Health and Welfare, urged on the 26th at the government Seoul office during the CDSCH meeting opening remarks, "We ask for the active participation and cooperation of the public during the Chuseok special quarantine period to prevent nationwide infection spread."

He continued, "Although the daily confirmed cases are somewhat decreasing, they still fluctuate around 100. Cluster infections continue in places close to daily life such as nursing facilities, hospitals, and daycare centers, and the proportion of cases with unknown infection routes is also in the 20% range, raising concerns about the possibility of a significant number of hidden infected individuals."

He then said, "Please practice maintaining a 1-meter distance between tables in restaurants and cafes, and if this is difficult, please space out seating or install partitions."

He also urged, "Please refrain from using five high-risk facilities where gatherings are prohibited, including entertainment bars, colateks, danranjumeok (karaoke bars), gamseongjumeok (emotion bars), and hunting pochas (outdoor drinking spots), as well as door-to-door sales facilities."

Earlier, the CDSCH announced the 'Comprehensive Measures for the Chuseok Special Quarantine Period' on the 25th. During the Chuseok special quarantine period, the core social distancing measure of restricting indoor events and gatherings of 50 or more people and outdoor events of 100 or more people at level 2 will be maintained.

In the metropolitan area, quarantine rules will be strengthened for multi-use facilities such as restaurants, coffee shops, and amusement parks in preparation for gatherings.

In non-metropolitan areas, a two-week ban on gatherings will be enforced for five high-risk entertainment facilities (clubs and other entertainment bars, colateks, danranjumeok, gamseongjumeok, hunting pochas) and door-to-door sales.