Level 4+α extended by 2 weeks... No early soccer allowed (Comprehensive)

Mandatory QR Code System for Large Stores Including Department Stores Under Review
Discussion on Raising Non-Capital Region to Level 3
1,630 New Confirmed Cases

On the 23rd, as the spread of COVID-19 shows no signs of slowing down, citizens are lining up for testing at a screening clinic set up at Gwanak-gu Public Health Center in Seoul. Photo by Mo Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] As the number of new domestic COVID-19 cases reached 1,630 on the 23rd and the spread showed no signs of slowing, the government decided to extend the Level 4 social distancing measures in the metropolitan area for two more weeks, from the 26th of this month to the 8th of next month. Accordingly, the ban on private gatherings of more than two people after 6 p.m. will continue for another two weeks. If the daily average number of cases in the metropolitan area does not drop below the Level 3 criteria of 500 to 1,000, stronger social distancing measures such as bans on gatherings in high-risk facilities and stricter operating hour restrictions will be considered.

Jeon Hae-cheol, the 2nd Deputy Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety), stated that day, "Considering the overall situation of the 4th wave, we will extend the current Level 4 social distancing and the ban on private gatherings of three or more people after 6 p.m. in the metropolitan area for two more weeks." He expressed concern, saying, "During the 3rd wave, the daily average number of confirmed cases was about 660, but now, experiencing the 4th wave, it has risen to 1,410 (from July 7 to 22), more than double in scale."

The government plans to strengthen quarantine measures alongside the extension of Level 4 social distancing in the metropolitan area. Previously, sports games requiring a minimum number of players, such as futsal and baseball, were exempt from private gathering restrictions, but for the next two weeks, this exemption will no longer apply. Consequently, amateur baseball and early soccer matches will be prohibited. Shower rooms, which were only banned in indoor sports facilities, will now also be prohibited in outdoor sports facilities. While essential business events for public officials and companies were allowed, from now on, events involving overnight stays will be banned even if they are essential for business operations.

Additionally, for exhibitions and fairs, only personnel who have tested negative via PCR tests will be allowed inside booths, with the number limited to two people and operated by reservation to strengthen quarantine rules. The government is also actively considering mandating entry log management (safe call or QR code) for large retail stores such as department stores. However, for weddings and funerals, where only relatives were allowed (up to 49 people), the limit will be extended to a maximum of 49 people regardless of kinship, considering public inconvenience.

Government: "With a 2-week extension, metropolitan area cases could drop below 1,000"... Non-metropolitan social distancing to be announced on the 25th

On the 23rd, when the number of new COVID-19 cases has remained in the thousands for over two weeks, citizens visiting the drive-thru testing site set up at the Simsang Memorial Cultural Center in Seocho-gu, Seoul, are waiting to be tested. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

Lee Ki-il, the 1st Controller of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Director of Health and Medical Policy at the Ministry of Health and Welfare), said, "Through the two-week extension of Level 4 social distancing in the metropolitan area, we strongly hope that the daily average number of cases will drop below 1,000, and if the public cooperates and makes efforts, it will be possible. We are also preparing various measures for non-metropolitan areas."

He added, "Currently, about 36% of cases are spreading in non-metropolitan areas. A meeting to adjust social distancing levels in non-metropolitan areas is scheduled, and we plan to announce the results on Sunday (the 25th) after gathering as many opinions as possible."

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters, as of midnight that day, the number of new confirmed cases was 1,630, marking the 17th consecutive day of four-digit figures. Of these, 1,574 were domestic cases and 56 were imported. Although the previous day recorded a record high of 1,842 new cases, this included 270 confirmed cases from the Cheonghae Unit counted as imported cases, so the actual number increased compared to the previous day.

On that day, the metropolitan area accounted for 1,009 cases?516 in Seoul, 403 in Gyeonggi, and 90 in Incheon?making up 64.1% of domestic cases. Notably, the proportion of cases in non-metropolitan areas reached 35.9%, the highest since the 4th wave began. Non-metropolitan cases numbered 565, marking the third consecutive day above 500. The proportion of non-metropolitan cases has remained above 30% for six days since first exceeding 30% on the 18th.

Busan reported 115 cases, exceeding 100 for the second consecutive day, followed by Gyeongnam with 93, Daejeon 67, Gangwon 61, Daegu 57, and Jeju 28, with cases surging nationwide. As the overall scale of infections grows, the number of critically ill patients is also rapidly increasing. The number of critically ill patients reached 227, nine more than the previous day. The government is reportedly consulting with local governments about applying Level 3 uniformly to non-metropolitan areas.

Professor Chun Eun-mi of Ewha Mokdong Hospital said, "With severe regional disparities?Level 4 in the metropolitan area and Levels 1 to 2 in non-metropolitan areas?and the summer vacation season leading to active nationwide movement, the 'balloon effect' has become pronounced. We need to consider raising non-metropolitan areas to Level 3 along with additional measures."