Gimhae City Raises Social Distancing to Revised Level 2... Preemptive Measures Against Cluster Infections in Entertainment Venues

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Sang-hyun] Gimhae City, Gyeongnam Province announced on the 12th that it will raise the revised social distancing from level 1 to level 2 for two weeks from 0:00 on the 14th to 24:00 on the 27th.

In addition, a two-week gathering ban order has been issued for 21 establishments employing Vietnamese entertainment workers where recent cluster infections occurred, and an administrative order requires all workers in entertainment establishments and singing practice rooms to undergo diagnostic testing once a week and only those confirmed negative are allowed to work.

The city explained that due to the recent rapid increase in confirmed cases related to entertainment bars, the government’s criteria for raising the level have been exceeded for three consecutive days as of the 12th, making it inevitable to raise the level to 2.

The revised level 2 distancing maintains the existing ban on private gatherings of nine or more people, and limits other events and assemblies to fewer than 100 people.

Also, entertainment facilities and singing practice rooms will have operating hours restricted from midnight to 5 a.m. the next day; restaurants and cafes will only be allowed takeout and delivery from midnight to 5 a.m.; and other multi-use facilities will apply limits on the number of users to adjust density per facility area.

Along with this, the city will strengthen enforcement through departmental responsibility systems targeting entertainment facilities, singing practice rooms, restaurants and cafes, bathhouses, academies and private institutes, indoor sports facilities, and religious facilities, and will strictly enforce laws against violations of the guidelines.

Mayor Heo Seong-gon said, "We apologize for causing concern to citizens due to the many confirmed cases recently occurring in foreigner entertainment establishments," and added, "Since this is a very serious situation, please strictly follow quarantine rules such as avoiding crowded facilities and visits to other regions, and we urge everyone to get vaccinated.”