Prime Minister Jeong: "Maintain Social Distancing Level 2 in the Capital Area... Raise Non-Capital Areas Uniformly to Level 1.5" (Comprehensive Report 2)

Nationwide Level 1.5... Busan, Gangwon Yeongseo, Gyeongnam, Chungnam, Jeonbuk to Advance to Level 2
From Next Month, Small Restaurants Also Subject to Quarantine Obligations... Capacity Limits Expanded at Level 2

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun is announcing strengthened quarantine measures related to the third wave of COVID-19 at the 'Emergency Press Conference to Overcome COVID-19' held on the 29th at the briefing room of the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul. From left: Park Neung-hoo, Minister of Health and Welfare; Prime Minister Chung; sign language interpreter; Jeong Eun-kyeong, Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporters Kwangho Lee, Hyunui Cho, Chaeseok Moon] Due to the third wave of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), the government has decided to raise the social distancing level higher than before.

In the metropolitan area, the level 2 status will be maintained, but operations of facilities such as saunas, indoor sports facilities, academies, and private tutoring centers will be partially suspended. In non-metropolitan areas, the level will be uniformly raised to 1.5, but in places with severe situations such as Busan, Gangwon Yeongseo, Gyeongnam, Chungnam, and Jeonbuk, an active promotion to raise the level to 2 will be implemented.

Prime Minister Jeong Sye-kyun stated at a press briefing after presiding over the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH) meeting on the 29th, "The third wave of COVID-19 is rising."

Prime Minister Jeong emphasized, "The entire nation must enter a COVID-19 defense posture," and added, "The main agents of quarantine are the people."

Ban on Sauna and Hanjeungmak Operations... Wind Instrument and Singing Lessons Also Prohibited

Explaining the results of the CDSCH meeting, Prime Minister Jeong said, "Sauna and hanjeungmak facilities, which have a high risk of group infection, will be banned from operating," and "Indoor sports facilities involving intense group exercises such as Zumba, spinning, and aerobics will be additionally prohibited from gathering."

He continued, "Lessons at academies and private tutoring centers with a high possibility of droplet generation, such as wind instruments and singing, will also be banned," but added, "However, university entrance exam preparatory students are excluded from the ban on the condition of thorough quarantine."

This measure comes after recent small-scale group infections occurred in indoor sports facilities, exercise facilities, dance instruction facilities, bathhouses, and saunas.

Additionally, complex convenience facilities such as gyms, saunas, cafes, and reading rooms operated within apartment complexes will also be suspended.

Prime Minister Jeong said, "Year-end and New Year events and parties hosted by accommodation facilities such as hotels, party rooms, and guesthouses will be completely banned," and added, "Businesses including hotels are expected to comply well with the CDSCH's recommendations."

Furthermore, residents in the metropolitan area are strongly advised to refrain from all gatherings and appointments, especially canceling private meetings such as dinners, alumni meetings, and club gatherings with more than 10 people.

The government will also raise the social distancing level to 1.5 nationwide from 0:00 on the 1st of next month until 12:00 noon on the 14th. Depending on the regional situation, local governments will actively implement level 2 upgrades and strengthen quarantine measures by industry and facility.

Prime Minister Jeong emphasized, "From now on, regardless of whether the distancing level is raised, all citizens must enter a COVID-19 crisis defense posture," and "We must open K-Quarantine Season 2, transitioning to quarantine with the people."

What Will Change?

From next month, as the nationwide social distancing level is uniformly raised to 1.5, quarantine measures will be further strengthened. Masks must be worn not only in key and general management facilities but also in outdoor sports stadiums.

In entertainment facilities such as clubs, room salons, danran pubs, emotional pubs, colatecs, and hunting pochas, high-risk activities such as dancing and moving between seats are prohibited. In singing rooms, indoor standing concert halls, and indoor sports facilities, eating food is not allowed.

Restrictions will increase in other daily activities as well. Religious facilities must conduct regular worship, mass, or Buddhist ceremonies with seating limited to 30% capacity, and gatherings and meals are prohibited. Sports game attendance is limited to 30% capacity, and assemblies, demonstrations, large concerts, festivals, and academic events are limited to fewer than 100 people.

Restaurants and cafes that must have partitions between tables will expand this requirement from large stores (150㎡) to medium-sized stores (50㎡) at level 1. Singing or food provision is prohibited in visiting and direct sales promotion centers, which must close after 9 p.m.

Movie theaters, performance halls, and PC rooms must maintain seat spacing between different groups. Reading rooms and study cafes must maintain distance between seats or install partitions.

There are also limits on the number of users per area. In key management facilities such as entertainment venues and singing rooms, as well as general management facilities like PC rooms, wedding halls, and funeral halls, only one person per 4㎡ is allowed. Amusement parks and water parks are limited to half of their capacity.

Public institutions must implement telecommuting at appropriate rates and actively utilize staggered lunch hours. Private companies are recommended to improve work styles to the level of public institutions. School attendance must strictly adhere to two-thirds or less.

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, Minister of Health and Welfare Park Neung-hoo, and Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency Jung Eun-kyeong are attending the 'Emergency Press Conference to Overcome COVID-19' held on the 29th at the briefing room of the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

At level 2, which is being promoted for five areas including Busan, Gangwon Yeongseo, Gyeongnam, Chungnam, and Jeonbuk, the number of people allowed will be further restricted, and more facilities will be closed. According to the CDSCH, when raised to level 2, operations of 600,000 to 700,000 facilities in non-metropolitan areas will be restricted or suspended.

Cafes will only be allowed takeout and delivery regardless of business hours, and restaurants will only be allowed takeout and delivery after 9 p.m. Gatherings and events with more than 100 people are basically prohibited. Wedding halls and funeral halls will also be limited to fewer than 100 people.

The number of seats available for worship, mass, Buddhist ceremonies, and memorial services will be reduced to 20% or less. Sports game spectators will be limited to 10% capacity.

The five types of entertainment facilities will be effectively banned from operating under a "gathering ban," and indoor sports facilities, indoor standing concert halls, and singing rooms will cease operations after 9 p.m.

Workplace attendance will follow the guidelines for level 1.5. School classes will be operated to maintain a density of about one-third (two-thirds for high schools), but considering academic operations, they may operate up to two-thirds.