Daejeon City Lowers Social Distancing from 'Level 2 to Level 1.5'... Until Next Month 2

[Asia Economy (Daejeon) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] Daejeon City will lower the social distancing level from the current Level 2 to Level 1.5.

According to the city on the 23rd, an analysis of the sources of COVID-19 infections over the past week showed that the average daily number of confirmed cases in the region was 10, with no infections occurring in specific groups (facilities).

Except for the cluster infection at A Market in Dong-gu, most confirmed cases were either during quarantine or involved infections from other regions, indicating a lowered risk of COVID-19 infection.

Accordingly, the city plans to lower the social distancing level to 1.5 until the 2nd of next month to monitor the situation.

With the adjustment of distancing measures, operating hour restrictions will be lifted for entertainment venues such as nightclubs, karaoke bars, emotional pubs, colatecs, hunting pochas, holdem pubs, restaurants and cafes, singing practice rooms, indoor sports facilities, party rooms, indoor standing concert halls, academies and private institutes, and bathhouses.

However, door-to-door sales businesses will continue to have operating hours restricted until 10 PM.

Events such as weddings and funerals will be expanded from under 100 people to under 500 people, and religious facilities will apply Level 1.5 quarantine rules, adjusting regular worship services to within 30% of total seating capacity (currently 20%). However, the city emphasized that small gatherings and meals related to religious facilities will remain prohibited as before.

The city further explained that the lowering of social distancing levels is also a measure for fairness, as neighboring regions Chungnam, Chungbuk, and Sejong have decided to maintain Level 1.5 until the 2nd of next month.

However, the city plans to operate a joint quarantine inspection team with the government and district offices until June 30, considering that lowering the distancing level could potentially reduce social vigilance regarding quarantine.

In particular, the city’s policy is to strictly require compliance with quarantine rules at each business and apply a zero-tolerance principle with fines and business suspensions if violated.

Seo Cheol-mo, Deputy Mayor of the city, said, “Only citizens’ participation in quarantine can reverse the current COVID-19 situation,” and added, “Despite difficult circumstances, we ask citizens, self-employed workers, and small business owners to comply with personal hygiene and thorough quarantine rules.”