[Report] 'O Sehun-style Social Distancing' Quarantine Collapse vs. Lifeline for Self-Employed... Citizens Debate Heatedly

Self-Employed Business Owners Show Mixed Reactions of 'Half Expectation, Half Concern'
Civilians Say "Premature Measures" on Self-Diagnosis Kit Introduction 'Not Sure'
Seoul City Plans to Develop Guidelines Reflecting Expert Opinions

Seoul Mapo-gu Hongik University Street, where many self-employed people gather. Photo by So-Young Kim sozero815@asiae.co.kr

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Soyoung] "If small business owners go bankrupt, it literally means the country is doomed.", "Can we trust self-diagnostic kits?"

As COVID-19 prolongs, the worries of self-employed workers deepen day by day. Consequently, opinions on quarantine rules vary. Some believe in a flexible response to ease the burden on small business owners, while others argue that a uniform approach like the current one is necessary.

Amid various opinions on quarantine methodologies, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon proposed the 'Seoul-style Coexistence Quarantine,' which applies flexible quarantine rules by industry rather than uniform business restrictions to reduce the sacrifices and damages of self-employed workers.

In this regard, recently, small business owners met near Hongik University in Mapo-gu, Seoul, where many self-employed workers gather, welcomed this adjustment to social distancing but also expressed anxiety. Among citizens, concerns continue that COVID-19 might spread further.

On the 12th, Mayor Oh stated, "We will shift the paradigm from uniform 'regulatory quarantine' that forces sacrifices on self-employed and small business owners to 'coexistence quarantine' that protects both livelihoods and quarantine," and announced plans to proceed after consulting with the government and the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters.

On the morning of the 10th, Seoul City sent official letters titled 'Request for Submission of Opinions on Classification by Type of Entertainment Facilities, Restaurants, etc., and Customized Quarantine Rules' to related industry organizations, asking for their input. According to the letter, entertainment pubs, danran pubs, emotional pubs, and hunting pochas are allowed extended business hours from 5 PM to midnight, while holdem pubs and bars can operate from 4 PM to 11 PM.

However, restaurants and cafes will maintain their current operating hours until 10 PM. This aims to ease quarantine rules to catch both 'quarantine' and 'livelihood' goals, but some criticize that the quarantine net might collapse.

Additionally, as of today (the 22nd), the number of domestic COVID-19 confirmed cases has recorded over 700 for two consecutive days, raising concerns about a resurgence due to eased quarantine regulations. There are also criticisms that the balloon effect of this policy could impact the entire metropolitan area.

Evening business hours have begun, but the streets appear quiet. Photo by So-Young Kim sozero815@asiae.co.kr

◆ "I understand the intention, but isn't it premature? I'm a bit worried."

Citizens voiced similar concerns. Two university students in their 20s met near Hongdae said, "I thought (COVID-19) was almost over, but now that they're doing it again, I'm worried it might all be for nothing," adding, "I hope we keep it like this until it's completely over after firmly controlling it."

Mr. Ji, in his late 20s preparing for immigration, said about easing quarantine rules, "I don't think it's the right time yet. I had hopes since it's practically the last election, but I'm quite worried," and added, "After the election, starting from the weekend, the number of confirmed cases didn't decrease but jumped again. In this situation, hastily revising guidelines... I think it was too premature."

Meanwhile, some citizens suggested limiting the number of people allowed in a space altogether. Mr. Kim (33), running a startup company, said, "Setting time limits made people drink according to those times, then take the subway and bus, creating more crowded times," and added, "Wouldn't it be more reasonable to limit the number of entrants instead?"

He continued, "COVID-19 doesn't suddenly spread after 9 or 10 PM, right? Rather, dispersing people is important. Limiting the number of people is more effective than time restrictions," he argued.

◆ "Can we trust self-diagnostic kits?"

Mayor Oh urged the introduction of 'self-diagnostic kits' as a supplementary measure for Seoul-style coexistence quarantine. Self-diagnostic kits are tools that allow ordinary people, not medical professionals, to collect specimens themselves and check for COVID-19 positivity, with results in 15 to 30 minutes.

They are faster than PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests, which take 3 to 6 hours for results, but less accurate since they do not undergo gene amplification. The accuracy of self-diagnostic kits confirmed so far varies between 17% and 90%, depending on research.

Mr. Kim expressed a negative view, saying, "(Testing) a few hours ago doesn't guarantee you aren't infected now. Self-diagnosis seems largely meaningless."

Mr. Ji also expressed dissatisfaction, saying, "It feels like they're just opening a loophole to allow entry somehow," and added, "No measures have been taken for places essential for citizens and youth, like restaurants, study rooms, culture, performance, and arts, so I don't understand why only entertainment establishments are prioritized. I think essential places for students and the elderly should be addressed first."

A restaurant scene without customers. This restaurant, which used to operate 24 hours, is currently open until 10 PM. Photo by So Young Kim sozero815@asiae.co.kr

◆ "Let's just try it, it's too hard" - Self-employed owners 'welcome' the plan

On the other hand, self-employed owners are welcoming Seoul-style coexistence quarantine. Mr. Jang, who runs a barbecue restaurant, called the current quarantine rules 'armchair theorizing,' saying, "(Lifting restrictions) doesn't mean fewer cases, and keeping them doesn't mean more cases. Places like the Han River and large marts are crowded on weekends, but they only crack down on businesses, not those places," expressing frustration.

He gave a positive evaluation of the effect of introducing self-diagnostic kits. He said, "If done strictly like this, people with symptoms won't be admitted at all, so it will be thorough and reduce spread. Right now, it's sloppy, so many confirmed cases come out."

He expressed expectations, saying, "If self-diagnostic testing is established and business hours extended, business won't be hindered, confirmed cases won't increase much, and it will be a win-win."

Mr. Park, in his late 30s, who runs a cafe that also sells alcohol, welcomed the extension of operating hours, saying, "Places that sell alcohol together have customers drinking late at night, so extending business hours helps us."

Regarding extended hours and self-diagnostic kits, he said, "There was no such policy before, but now at least we can try. If introduced, it would be much better," and added, "Trying something is better than nothing. Right now, everything is tightly locked down. We need to propose and try quarantine measures."

Currently, Mr. Park's store operates as a 'restaurant,' which is not included in the extended hours under the 'Seoul-style coexistence quarantine.' He said, "Since it's currently a restaurant, if pubs can also be changed, I might even change the name and try operating as a pub."

◆ "Why only favor businesses?" - Controversy over fairness in restaurants and cafes

In this way, restaurants and cafes are excluded from extended business hours in the 'Seoul-style coexistence quarantine,' maintaining the existing 10 PM time limit. This raises issues of fairness.

Mr. Choi, who ran a 24-hour cafe before COVID-19, criticized, "If hours are extended, they should be extended together. Most entertainment businesses start in the evening, so their hours are reduced, but still, it feels unfair."

He said, "It's honestly good when tables are full on weekends, but from a self-employed perspective, it's also worrisome," adding, "Hongdae is lively in the evening, so extending hours would be good, but I think it's a bit early now."

He expressed a negative stance on self-diagnostic kits, saying, "We haven't used the kits yet. If someone says, 'I tested and got a negative result,' how can we trust that?" showing anxiety.

A karaoke room in operation. Photo by So-Young Kim sozero815@asiae.co.kr

Some strongly expressed anger accumulated over current quarantine guidelines. A self-employed pub owner told reporters, "Of course, it should be until midnight. If we're going to quarantine like this, everything should be opened. Self-employed people can't even pay rent, look at the closed Hongdae stores. They're all scammers. Quarantine is..." he vented.

Mr. Choi, a 30-something manager of a coin karaoke room, said, "Change is good," adding, "Other self-employed and entertainment businesses would feel less anxious about operating and would benefit from extended hours." However, he added, "I'm still worried if it will be properly followed. If it is, extending hours is good."

Meanwhile, Seoul City has not yet narrowed differences with the government regarding the use of self-diagnostic kits. The government agrees that self-test kits are supplementary but draws the line, saying they are under review only for certain facilities with specific test subjects, such as nursing homes.

Mayor Oh pointed out, "Self-diagnostic kits can provide test results within 10 to 30 minutes and are actively used in countries like the U.S., U.K., and Germany. However, in Korea, they have not been introduced yet because they are not approved by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety."

Experts' opinions are divided. According to Seoul City, some experts participating in the advisory meeting held on the 14th expressed positive views on introducing self-test kits. However, others pointed out that, unlike overseas where prevalence is high, Korea's low prevalence reduces the accuracy of self-test kits, so caution is needed.

Seoul City plans to create detailed guidelines on the introduction methods and target groups for self-test kits, reflecting expert opinions.