Cafes Prohibited from In-Hall Service, Restaurants and Brunch Cafes Allowed to Operate Until 9 PM
Citizens: "Eating Is the Same... No Consistency in Quarantine Measures"
Experts: "Specific Rules Should Be Established According to Business Characteristics"
A petition titled "Requesting Measures to Ban In-Person Cafe Operations at COVID-19 Level 2" posted on the Blue House National Petition Board on the 24th./Photo by Blue House National Petition Board capture
[Asia Economy reporters Han Seung-gon and Kang Joo-hee] As the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) continues domestically, the government has been implementing social distancing level 2 since the 24th, sparking controversy over fairness regarding quarantine guidelines for cafes and restaurants.
According to the level 2 social distancing quarantine guidelines, restaurants are allowed to serve dine-in customers until 9 p.m., after which only takeout and delivery are permitted. In contrast, cafes, including franchises and all other cafes, are only allowed to offer takeout and delivery regardless of business hours, with sitting down to consume beverages or food completely prohibited.
As a result, some argue that "since both remove masks and sit down to eat, why are only cafes prohibited from operating their dining areas?" raising concerns about inconsistency in quarantine measures.
Experts emphasize the need to establish and implement quarantine standards fairly and at the same level.
On the 24th, a post titled "Request for Measures to Ban Cafe Dining Area Operations under COVID-19 Level 2" was uploaded on the Blue House public petition board.
The petitioner, who stated they run a private cafe in the metropolitan area, said, "How much delivery and takeout orders do you think private cafes get?" and explained, "I registered for delivery a few months ago, but having 1 to 2 orders a day is fortunate. The location barely gets one takeout order a day."
They continued, "Delivery registration is not immediate. You have to contract with delivery agencies and bear monthly basic management fees and per-delivery charges, so there is almost no profit left," and lamented, "At this rate, even if I operate all month, I doubt I can cover rent, let alone labor costs."
The petitioner added, "I don't understand if there are compensation measures in place for such policies that kill cafe self-employed businesses, and why restaurants are allowed while cafes are not when both remove masks and sit down," The petition had gained 2,550 supporters as of 2:45 p.m. on the 27th.
As the government raised social distancing to level 2, a franchise cafe in Suncheon City is showing a quiet scene. Photo by Yonhap News
The government considers not only general cafes but also business establishments primarily selling coffee, beverages, and desserts, even if classified as general restaurants, as cafes and restricts in-store use accordingly.
On the other hand, sandwich shops, brunch cafes, pubs combined with cafes, etc., which have similar facility characteristics to general cafes, are classified as general restaurants and can serve customers inside until 9 p.m. Stores not registered as restaurants, such as board game cafes and room cafes, are also allowed to operate in-store until 9 p.m.
Consequently, among citizens, there are reactions that prohibiting in-store consumption only at certain cafes lacks consistency in quarantine measures.
Office worker Choi (27) said, "Since you can't drink coffee at cafes, people go to nearby hamburger shops to drink coffee and talk," and criticized, "Cafe business types vary greatly, so if you want to ban them, ban all or consider store size and characteristics. Targeting specific cafes for regulation is like telling those cafe owners to die. Who would want to follow quarantine rules then?"
Another office worker in their 30s, Lee, said, "Pubs and restaurants allow people to remove masks and drink or eat until 9 p.m., so isn't the risk the same?" and added, "I don't see what meaning banning only cafes has for quarantine."
Experts emphasize the need to establish and implement quarantine standards fairly and at the same level.
Professor Kim Woo-joo, an infectious disease specialist at Korea University Guro Hospital, said, "The government authorities should set standards fairly and at the same level, but since they are not, complaints and grievances arise," and pointed out, "Instead of applying quarantine guidelines uniformly, specific rules should be established based on compliance, seating arrangements, and characteristics of business establishments."
He continued, "Even during the COVID-19 situation, industries essential for daily life, like groceries or marts, must be accessible," and emphasized, "Restaurants are probably considered more important than cafes in that regard, so there are differences in quarantine guidelines. However, if the spread continues, restaurants should also strengthen quarantine standards like cafes."
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