From the 23rd, Private Gatherings of 5 or More People Banned in Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon (Comprehensive)

On the 14th, when the social distancing measures, which had been strengthened due to the resurgence of COVID-19, were downgraded to Level 2, a restaurant owner in Seoul was preparing for business. Following the government's downgrade to Level 2 social distancing, franchise cafes, bakeries, and bingsu shops will be able to allow customers to sit and use the premises as before. General restaurants, snack bars, and bakeries, which were only allowed takeout and delivery after 9 p.m., will now be able to serve food inside the store regardless of the time. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] From midnight on the 23rd until midnight on January 3rd of next year, private gatherings of five or more people will be completely banned in the Seoul metropolitan area, including Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon.

Seo Jeong-hyeop, Acting Mayor of Seoul, held an online briefing on the 21st and stated, "As an extraordinary measure to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), we are issuing an administrative order banning gatherings together with Gyeonggi Province and Incheon City."

Accordingly, only gatherings of four or fewer people will be allowed in the metropolitan area for the time being. Regardless of indoors or outdoors, gatherings of five or more people such as alumni meetings, clubs, picnics, year-end parties, company dinners, workshops, savings clubs, housewarmings, first birthday parties, 60th birthday celebrations, and 70th birthday celebrations are strictly prohibited.

However, considering the exceptional nature of events, only weddings and funerals will maintain the 2.5-level social distancing standard allowing 'up to 50 people.' If this measure is violated, strict responses including fines and administrative actions will be taken against both business owners and users.

The ban on gatherings of five or more people is a stronger measure than the 'ban on gatherings of 10 or more people' applied at social distancing level 3. The metropolitan area has been under social distancing level 2.5 since midnight on the 8th, prohibiting gatherings of 50 or more people at meetings and events.

Seoul City also plans to secure a total of 105 dedicated beds for severe patients by the end of this month, including adding 9 beds on this day: 1 bed at Ewha Womans University Seoul Hospital, 4 beds at Kyung Hee University Hospital, and 4 beds at Sinchon Severance Hospital. Currently, Seoul has 91 severe patient beds, with only 4 available for admission.

To assist those waiting for beds, a 'Medical Consultation System for Bed Waiters' will be operated in cooperation with Seoul St. Mary's Hospital and Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital. Seo Jeong-hyeop, Acting Mayor of Seoul, explained, "Twenty doctors from infectious diseases, pulmonology, psychiatry, and emergency medicine departments will provide non-face-to-face medical consultations via an app to confirmed patients waiting for beds. Especially, if symptoms worsen or an emergency occurs while waiting, emergency measures can be taken through this system."

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters, as of midnight on this day, there were 926 new confirmed COVID-19 cases. Although this is 171 fewer than the previous record of 1,097 cases the day before, it is the highest number recorded on a holiday. In Seoul, including 328 new cases the previous day, the cumulative number of confirmed cases has reached 15,039. Additionally, from midnight to 2 p.m. on this day, 157 more confirmed cases were reported.

Acting Mayor Seo urged, "Seoul is now on the eve of a storm, and scenes of empty streets and city lockdowns like New York and London could happen in Seoul as well," asking for active participation in the ban on private gatherings of five or more people.