Prime Minister Kim: "New Social Distancing Measures Applied from July... 6-Person Gatherings Allowed in the Capital Area" (Update)

COVID-19 Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters Meeting

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum is explaining the new social distancing measures at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) meeting held at the Government Seoul Office on the 20th. 2021.6.20 [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Son Seonhee] The government has decided to apply a revised social distancing guideline that relaxes restrictions starting from July. The existing five-step social distancing system will be adjusted to four steps, and in the metropolitan area, which corresponds to level 2, private gatherings will be allowed up to 8 people. However, for the first two weeks as a transition period, the number of people will be limited to 6 or fewer. In non-metropolitan areas at level 1, all restrictions including private gatherings will be lifted.

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum chaired the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting on COVID-19 at the Government Complex Seoul on the afternoon of the 20th and said, "We are well aware that public fatigue is increasing as COVID-19 prolongs," adding, "Accordingly, we aim to find a balance between quarantine and daily life to realize sustainable quarantine."

Prime Minister Kim explained, "We will adjust the social distancing steps, which have been operated in five levels, to four levels. Level 1 applies when there are fewer than 500 cases nationwide and fewer than 250 in the metropolitan area; level 2 applies when there are 500 or more nationwide and 250 or more in the metropolitan area; level 3 applies when there are 1,000 or more nationwide and up to 500 in the metropolitan area; and level 4 applies when there are 2,000 or more confirmed cases nationwide and 1,000 in the metropolitan area."

He continued, "At level 1, all restrictions are lifted, so multi-use facilities can be used without limitations," and "At level 2, private gatherings are allowed up to 8 people, and entertainment facilities, karaoke rooms, restaurants, and cafes can operate until midnight." He added, "At level 3, private gatherings are again limited to 4 people as now, and some businesses face operating hour restrictions until 10 p.m.," and "At level 4 nationwide, private gatherings are limited to 2 people after 6 p.m., entertainment facilities are banned from gathering, and all business facilities face extended operating hour restrictions until 10 p.m."

When the new social distancing guidelines are applied, the metropolitan area will correspond to level 2, and non-metropolitan areas to level 1. This means all restrictions, including the number of people in gatherings, will be lifted in non-metropolitan areas. However, Prime Minister Kim urged, "Please fully understand the new social distancing guidelines and do not abuse them," and "Please understand the reality that we have not yet fully achieved nationwide immunity through quarantine and vaccination."

Prime Minister Kim emphasized again, "July, when the new social distancing is applied and vaccination expands, will be a critical turning point in overcoming the COVID-19 crisis," and "I ask the public not to lose vigilance in quarantine and to strictly follow individual quarantine rules."

Even after the new social distancing is applied from July, indoor masks must be worn, and masks can be removed outdoors only when maintaining a distance of 2 meters or more.

Prime Minister Kim added, "As of the day before, more than 15 million people have completed their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine," and "The government will focus on the smooth introduction of contracted vaccines and prepare meticulously so that as many people as possible can complete vaccination as soon as possible."