Starting in July, 'New Social Distancing' Implemented... How Will Capacity Limits Change?

On the 21st, medical staff at Kyung Hee Medical Center in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, are aliquoting the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seoyoung Kwon] As new 'social distancing' guidelines for COVID-19 prevention take effect from July 1, attention is focused on the changing restrictions on the number of private gatherings.

According to the adjustment plan for quarantine rules announced on the 27th by the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH), under the new 'social distancing' Level 2 starting next month, private gatherings of friends, acquaintances, and colleagues will be limited to a maximum of 8 people, in accordance with the 'ban on gatherings of 9 or more' rule. However, in the Seoul metropolitan area, where the scale of the outbreak is large, the period from July 1 to 14 will be designated as a 'transition period,' during which private gatherings will be allowed up to 6 people. Additionally, those who have completed vaccination are exempt from the restrictions on the number of people in private gatherings and events.

Restrictions on the number of people in sports gyms and group exercise (GX) venues will also be eased. The current standards limit occupancy to one person per 6㎡ for Level 1 and one person per 8㎡ for Levels 2 to 4, but these will be relaxed to one person per 4㎡ and one person per 6㎡, respectively. Party rooms will be allowed to operate and be rented out under the condition that they comply with the private gathering limits for each level and restrict new entries after 10 p.m.

However, assemblies are not subject to exceptions due to their nature. The CDSCH explained that assemblies are managed more strictly than general events, involve risky behaviors such as shouting and singing, and it is difficult to verify participants' vaccination status. Furthermore, the CDSCH did not accept the religious community's request to exempt vaccinated preachers from wearing masks. Nonetheless, considering the quarantine situation and vaccination rates, this matter will be re-discussed in mid-July.