Gwangju, Daejeon, and Busan Entertainment Venue Operating Hour Extensions Withdrawn... Government Says "Consistent Nationwide Measures Needed" (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] The regions of Gwangju, Daejeon, and Busan announced plans to extend the operating hours of entertainment facilities beyond the previous 10 PM curfew but withdrew all extension plans following strong government recommendations.

On the 17th, Kwon Deok-cheol, the first head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH), stated in the opening remarks of the CDSCH meeting, "Some non-metropolitan local governments announced measures to extend operating hours not only for restaurants and cafes but also for entertainment facilities," adding, "Since operating hour restrictions are necessary nationwide for the phased recovery of daily life, and the CDSCH decided on these measures after thorough deliberation, we request that the relevant local governments implement operating hours until 10 PM as per the CDSCH's directive."

Head Kwon emphasized, "The remaining two weeks of October will be the final hurdle in taking steps toward phased daily life recovery," and added, "We earnestly hope to proceed with phased daily life recovery starting next month."

On the 15th, the government adjusted the last 'social distancing' measures before the 'phased daily life recovery (With Corona),' deciding to maintain major quarantine measures corresponding to Level 4 in the metropolitan area and Level 3 in non-metropolitan areas from the 18th to the 31st for two weeks. Instead, they announced easing quarantine measures centered on vaccinated individuals, such as expanding private gathering limits, aiming to use this period as an adjustment phase for phased daily life recovery.

According to the distancing adjustment, in non-metropolitan Level 3 areas, the maximum number of people allowed in private gatherings increased from 8 to 10, and restaurants and cafes had their operating hours extended by two hours from 10 PM to midnight. However, the 10 PM closing regulation remained in place for six types of entertainment facilities, karaoke rooms, and bathhouses.

However, controversy arose after the government’s announcement when Busan, Gwangju, and Daejeon pushed to relax operating hour restrictions for entertainment facilities. The CDSCH strongly recommended that these local governments apply the same measures as the CDSCH because extending operating hours for high-risk infection facilities like entertainment venues could lead to a resurgence of COVID-19 in non-metropolitan areas. Consequently, these regions withdrew all plans to extend operating hours.

The CDSCH explained, "Although Gwangju, Daejeon, and Busan had prepared plans to extend operating hours for entertainment facilities, they decided to apply the same measures as the CDSCH," adding, "This reflects the judgment that consistent measures nationwide are necessary ahead of phased daily life recovery, and the local governments agreed with this view."