COVID-19 Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters Meeting
Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum is presiding over the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH) meeting on COVID-19 response held at the Government Seoul Office on the 9th. [Photo by Yonhap News]
[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Son Seonhee] The government has decided to apply the new highest level 4 social distancing measure in the Seoul metropolitan area. It will be implemented for two weeks starting from the 12th. Entertainment facilities will continue to be subject to the existing gathering ban, and the easing of quarantine measures for vaccinated individuals will also be postponed.
Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum chaired the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting on the 9th at the Government Seoul Office and announced, "Since this is the highest level of social distancing, we will face it with the determination that there is no room to retreat any further," urging, "Please refrain from going out and gathering, and strictly follow the quarantine rules anytime and anywhere." He also requested local governments outside the metropolitan area to actively consider preemptive strengthening of quarantine measures such as adjusting social distancing levels.
Although the existing social distancing level had been extended for one week on the 7th, the situation worsened with over 1,000 new daily confirmed cases for three consecutive days recently, leading to the decision to apply the new highest social distancing level.
Once the new level 4 social distancing is applied, all events will be banned, and gatherings except for one-person protests will be prohibited. Restaurants and cafes will be allowed to operate only until 10 p.m., after which only takeout and delivery will be permitted. Karaoke rooms, indoor sports facilities, academies, reading rooms, movie theaters, and PC rooms will also be allowed to operate only until 10 p.m. Only immediate family members will be allowed to attend weddings and funerals.
Prime Minister Kim said, "I sincerely apologize as the head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters for asking the people in the metropolitan area to once again give up their daily lives and endure hardship," adding, "I am sorry that this measure will also cause difficulties for small business owners and self-employed individuals." He continued, "Although it will be difficult to fully recover the damage, the government will ensure that the best possible support is provided in accordance with the Loss Compensation Act."
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