Daejeon City "Extension of Social Distancing Level 2... Relaxation of Standards Including Allowing Eating Inside Cafes"

[Asia Economy (Daejeon) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] Daejeon City will extend the duration of Social Distancing Level 2 while partially easing and adjusting some quarantine rules.

On the 16th, the city announced that in accordance with government policy, Social Distancing Level 2 will be maintained from midnight on the 17th until midnight on the 31st of this month.

Previously, Daejeon recorded an average of 5.9 confirmed cases per day over the past two weeks, showing a slight decrease compared to the daily average of 11.4 cases last month. However, the city explained that since it is difficult to rule out the possibility of a resurgence during the winter season, Level 2 will be maintained for safety and quarantine purposes.

With the continuation of Level 2, private gatherings of five or more people, which had been prohibited, will remain banned for another two weeks.

However, cafes, which had caused fairness controversies, will be allowed to permit in-store dining starting from the 18th, under the same conditions as general restaurants. Customers who order coffee and beverages will be allowed to stay inside the store for up to one hour.

Additionally, religious activities will be permitted for in-person worship within 20% of total seating capacity. However, other gatherings and meals organized by religious facilities are prohibited, and especially at prayer houses, training centers, and missionary facilities, all meetings and events other than regular religious activities are banned.

Furthermore, until the end of this month, the city will maintain measures including ▲mandatory mask-wearing ▲prohibition of gatherings at five types of entertainment facilities, holdem pubs, and party rooms ▲restaurants and cafes allowed only takeout and delivery from 9 PM to 5 AM the next day ▲limiting the number of people at wedding halls and funeral homes to fewer than 100 ▲suspension of operations at singing rooms and indoor sports facilities from 9 PM to 5 AM the next day ▲capacity restrictions at academies, beauty salons, bathhouses, and arcades ▲seat spacing at movie theaters, performance halls, and reading rooms ▲temperature checks at department stores and large marts, and prohibition of food sampling and tasting.

Jung Hae-kyo, Director of the Health and Welfare Bureau of the city, said, “It is true that the spread of COVID-19 infections in the region is decreasing, but it is still too early to let our guard down. The city decided to extend the Social Distancing Level 2 period with the possibility of a large-scale outbreak in mind when lowering the distancing level.”