[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Eun-young] As Suncheon City in Jeollanam-do issued an administrative order banning "daytime drinking" as part of strengthened quarantine measures to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), a heated debate has erupted online over this decision.
On the 3rd, Mayor Heo Seok of Suncheon released a public statement announcing, "From midnight on the 4th, we will implement social distancing level 2 + α (alpha) administrative measures for two weeks."
According to the 'level 2 + α (alpha)' measures, enhanced standards will be applied to restaurants, movie theaters and performance halls, reading rooms, and study cafes, in addition to the government's recently announced level 2 social distancing measures for non-metropolitan areas on the 2nd.
At restaurants, reservations or gatherings of five or more people are prohibited, and reservations at lodging facilities such as hotels, resorts, and guesthouses are limited to two-thirds of the total rooms, with no acceptance of guests exceeding the capacity. Five types of entertainment facilities, holdem pubs, and party rooms used for gatherings and parties are also banned from assembly. Fever checks are mandatory at department stores and large marts, and activities such as sampling, tasting, using samples, promotional events, and resting areas (lounges, chairs, etc.) for customers are prohibited.
At Suncheon City Hall in Jeollanam-do, Mayor Heo Seok of Suncheon is delivering an emergency statement regarding the response to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). [Image source=Yonhap News]
What has particularly become an issue is Suncheon City's self-imposed strengthened standard, the so-called "daytime drinking ban" administrative order.
According to this order, restaurants are prohibited from selling alcoholic beverages from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m. Regarding the ban on alcohol sales until 4 p.m., a representative from the Infectious Disease Management Division of the Suncheon Public Health Center explained, "While concerns about the local economy contraction exist, the negative effects of 'daytime drinking' are also a factor. Usually, if people drink before 9 p.m., they go home and sleep, but if they drink in the morning or daytime, there is a risk that they will remove their masks and engage in outdoor activities while intoxicated."
Mayor Heo stated, "Like the restaurant in Jorye-dong that cleverly exploited the operating hours by opening at 5 a.m., becoming a nationwide subject of criticism, any acts that violate quarantine rules and mock administrative orders will be sanctioned using all administrative powers. Regarding violators of quarantine rules, we will respond strictly under the principle of zero tolerance, including criminal charges, fines, and claims for damages in civil and criminal cases as prescribed by relevant laws."
As Mayor Heo announced strict penalties for the "daytime drinking ban," a heated debate unfolded online.
One netizen exclaimed, "Is this a communist country? Are you trying to control the time when citizens drink alcohol?" Another netizen criticized it as "typical desk-bound administration."
In fact, self-employed restaurant operators in Suncheon unanimously said, "From 5 a.m. to 4 p.m. is a time when alcohol is not usually sold," expressing doubts about the effectiveness of the measure. They also voiced frustration, saying, "Self-employed people are struggling to survive day by day. Did the authorities properly understand the situation before issuing the daytime drinking ban?"
On the other hand, there are many voices supporting this administrative order. Separate from the quarantine authorities' efforts to extend social distancing level 2.5 to prevent the spread, it is argued that such a strong measure is necessary for the public to maintain vigilance themselves.
Especially since compliance with quarantine rules tends to loosen around the year-end and New Year, this is seen as an unavoidable measure. One netizen said, "Considering the current spread, this is not an excessive restriction. When you see pubs on the street, they are all full. Regulation is definitely necessary." Another netizen defended the measure, saying, "They wouldn't do this unless it was really necessary."
Meanwhile, as of midnight on the same day, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Suncheon City was counted at 204. Notably, the daily confirmed cases, which had been between 0 and 2 over the past week, surged to 9 on the 1st, and 13 people were confirmed positive since the New Year, indicating a spread of community infections.
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