Gyms and Other Businesses Reopen... Heated Debate Over '9 PM Closing Time' Issue

From the 18th, Limited Permission for Indoor Sports Facilities and Singing Practice Rooms Under Gathering Ban
Extension of Business Hours Not Confirmed... Considering Quarantine Measures Before Lunar New Year Holiday

On the 14th, in front of the Democratic Party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, representatives from gyms, Pilates studios, study cafes, screen golf, and coin karaoke announced the three major joint demands of self-employed business owners regarding the adjustment of the gathering ban on businesses. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy reporters Kwangho Lee and Heungsun Kim] The government is expected to allow limited operations starting from the 18th for businesses included in the gathering ban, such as gyms, indoor sports facilities, and singing practice rooms. However, it is reported that no conclusion has been reached yet on whether to permit these facilities and restaurants to operate only until 9 p.m. While these industries are requesting an extension of operating hours until midnight, the quarantine authorities are reportedly maintaining their stance that the reins on quarantine measures should not be loosened with the Lunar New Year holiday about four weeks away.

A government official said on the 15th, "We have reached a consensus to resume operations for gathering-ban industries such as indoor sports facilities and singing practice rooms by setting a capacity limit per area," but added, "There is disagreement among related ministries on what the closing time should be, so no conclusion has been made."

The government plans to announce adjustments to social distancing measures effective after the 17th on the 16th. Although the third wave of the domestic COVID-19 outbreak has somewhat eased, with around 500 new confirmed cases daily, it is highly likely that the current standards of level 2.5 in the metropolitan area and level 2 in non-metropolitan areas will be extended. Instead, businesses under gathering bans that have faced prolonged operational restrictions and are struggling financially will be allowed to operate.

Specifically, gyms and screen golf facilities will limit capacity to one person per 8 square meters of facility area, but shared facilities such as locker rooms and changing rooms will not be allowed for use. Singing practice rooms are considering allowing up to four people per room in accordance with the rule banning gatherings of five or more. Health authorities are reportedly insisting that, for fairness with other industries such as restaurants and cafes, operating hours for these facilities should also be limited to 9 p.m.

Image source=Yonhap News

A government official said, "Related industries argue that 'if operations resume only until 9 p.m., considering office workers who exercise after work or the usage times of singing practice rooms, it will have no effect,'" adding, "Therefore, discussions on extending closing hours are ongoing."

On the 14th, eight organizations representing gathering-ban industries, including the Korea Fitness Management Association (KFMA), announced a demand to allow operating hours until midnight. If this demand is accepted, the same restrictions currently imposed on restaurants, where dining inside is prohibited after 9 p.m., would also have to be lifted. However, the health authorities’ strong stance on suppressing the spread before the Lunar New Year holiday means there has been no progress on extending operating hours.

Meanwhile, as of midnight on the same day, the number of new domestic COVID-19 confirmed cases was 513, maintaining the 500-range for four consecutive days since the 12th (537 cases). The infection routes were 484 local transmissions and 29 imported cases.