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[Report] "Really Exhausted, Patience at Its Limit" Cafe Owners Frustrated by Prolonged Targeted Quarantine Measures

Cafe Owners "Tired of Unfair Quarantine Guidelines"
Cafe Owners Association Files 1 Billion Won Compensation Lawsuit Against Government
Experts "Consider Business Characteristics Rather Than Industry Bans"

[Report] "Really Exhausted, Patience at Its Limit" Cafe Owners Frustrated by Prolonged Targeted Quarantine Measures Inside a franchise cafe in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 12th. Due to the implementation of social distancing level 2.5 in the metropolitan area to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection, in-store operations have been prohibited.
Photo by Joohee Kang kjh818@asiae.co.kr


[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] "It's tight even to pay labor costs and rent," "Our patience has limits..."


As social distancing measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (Level 2.5 in the metropolitan area, Level 2 in non-metropolitan areas) have been prolonged, the worries of self-employed business owners have deepened, and cafe owners are strongly protesting. Unlike restaurants that can operate indoors until 9 p.m., cafes have been completely banned from indoor operations, sparking controversy over the fairness of quarantine measures.


On the morning of the 12th, most cafes located in the Jung-gu area of Seoul were quiet. There was only one or at most two employees guarding the stores. Cafe employees met by reporters that day all expressed that "strict quarantine standards are applied only to cafes, causing severe damage."


Mr. Kwak (47), who runs a franchise cafe, said, "Since we don't operate indoors, we only do delivery and takeout, and sales have dropped by about 20% compared to before. Many of our customers are office workers, and when social distancing is strengthened, many work from home, which reduces the number of customers, causing even greater damage."


Mr. Kwak added, "Our store is relatively small, so social distancing is not easy, but restaurants operate normally until 9 p.m., and since the number of confirmed cases has decreased, I think it would be good to allow indoor operations."


One owner said that due to decreased sales, it is difficult to afford labor costs, so they have to manage the store alone for long hours. Another franchise cafe owner, Mr. Jo (50), said, "Sales have dropped by more than half compared to before the indoor operation ban," and expressed his difficulties, saying, "Labor costs are not covered, so I have worked alone for 10 to 12 hours. I can barely hire one part-time worker."


Mr. Jo criticized the government's quarantine guidelines, saying, "They are too unclear. At first, individual cafes were allowed to operate, but franchises were not. There was a fairness issue then, but now they are applying biased standards even between restaurants and cafes."


He continued, "Many customers used to come in the evening for a meal and a cup of coffee, but now there are no evening customers at all, so there is no need to keep the store open. At first, I thought we had no choice but to bear the losses because the COVID-19 situation was serious, but the quarantine standards keep changing, so our patience has reached its limit."


[Report] "Really Exhausted, Patience at Its Limit" Cafe Owners Frustrated by Prolonged Targeted Quarantine Measures At the entrance of a franchise cafe in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 12th. A notice states that only takeout and delivery are allowed due to the implementation of social distancing level 2.5 in the metropolitan area.
Photo by Joohee Kang kjh818@asiae.co.kr


Given this situation, employees working in cafes also expressed their anxiety. Ms. Kim (30), a part-time worker at an individual cafe, said, "Part-time workers are struggling too," and revealed, "Sales have dropped, indoor operations are not allowed, so working hours have been reduced, and naturally, wages have been cut."


Ms. Kim added, "Brunch cafes and restaurants operate indoors, but general cafes do not, which I think is very unfair. If they are going to regulate, they should apply the same rules everywhere. Every time the quarantine guidelines change, working hours are adjusted accordingly, which is inconvenient."


Mr. Ahn (28), who has worked as a manager at a franchise cafe for three years, said, "There is always anxiety about losing my job," and pointed out, "There is no law that says you can't get COVID-19 at a restaurant. Whether it's a restaurant or a cafe, anyone can get infected, so regulating only cafes is discriminatory."


[Report] "Really Exhausted, Patience at Its Limit" Cafe Owners Frustrated by Prolonged Targeted Quarantine Measures In front of the counter at a private cafe in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 12th. A notice is posted stating that indoor use of the store is not allowed due to the implementation of social distancing level 2.5 in the metropolitan area.
Photo by Joohee Kang kjh818@asiae.co.kr


Cafes in the metropolitan area have been unable to operate indoors for about 50 days since the third wave of COVID-19 began in late November last year. From December 8, social distancing was raised to Level 2.5 in the metropolitan area and Level 2 in non-metropolitan areas, making indoor cafe operations nationwide impossible.


In response, the National Cafe Owners Association filed a lawsuit against the government seeking damages of about 1 billion KRW, claiming losses due to the business ban.


According to the distribution industry, the association announced on the 11th, "We have appointed the law firm Wooil to file a damage claim lawsuit against the government of the Republic of Korea," and "The first lawsuit will involve about 200 participants, each claiming 5 million KRW." The association plans to submit the complaint to the Seoul Central District Court on the 14th.


The government is reportedly considering easing restrictions on multi-use facilities such as gyms and cafes as the social distancing and special year-end quarantine measures currently in effect nationwide are set to end on the 17th.


Experts emphasized the need to establish and implement quarantine guidelines with clear and rational standards.


Professor Kim Wooju of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Korea University Guro Hospital said, "Quarantine rules should be scientifically and meticulously designed based on standards, but that is not happening now," expressing concern, "The standards were not clear from the start, and when public protests and negative opinions arise, the guidelines are adjusted accordingly, which reduces trust."


He added, "Instead of banning operations by industry, considerations should be given to the size of the store and whether quarantine rules can be followed," and pointed out, "If quarantine measures are imposed based on unreasonable standards, public dissatisfaction will only grow."


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