Metropolitan Area Gatherings Limited to 6 People and Restaurants Require Vaccine Pass... Social Distancing Strengthened Again for 4 Weeks

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum is delivering opening remarks at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting on COVID-19 response held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 3rd. At this meeting, Prime Minister Kim announced strengthened quarantine measures that will limit the number of private gatherings to a maximum of 6 people in the metropolitan area and 8 people in non-metropolitan areas for four weeks starting from the 6th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy reporters Sojeong Seo and Seonhee Son] To control the rapidly spreading COVID-19 outbreak following the 'gradual return to daily life (With Corona),' the government will reduce the allowed number of private gatherings to a maximum of 6 people in the metropolitan area and 8 people in non-metropolitan areas for four weeks starting from the 6th. The scope of the vaccination certificate and negative test confirmation system (quarantine pass) will also be expanded to most multi-use facilities such as restaurants and cafes.

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum announced these strengthened quarantine measures at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting held at the Government Seoul Office on the morning of the 3rd, stating, "The government will focus on firmly reinforcing the quarantine barriers over the next four weeks."

As of midnight that day, the number of new COVID-19 cases reached 4,944, approaching 5,000, and the number of critically ill patients hit a new daily high of 736, prompting the government to strengthen social distancing measures. Starting next week, vaccination certificates or negative test confirmations will be required to enter restaurants and cafes (except for one unvaccinated person), movie theaters, PC rooms, study cafes, and other facilities.

Prime Minister Kim said, "We intend to apply the quarantine pass comprehensively to reduce infection risks in daily life," adding, "It will be applied to most multi-use facilities, including restaurants and cafes, and a one-week grace period will be provided to ensure effective on-site implementation." The government also plans to discuss measures with relevant ministries to reduce the burden of electronic entry log installation costs on small businesses during the expansion of the quarantine pass.

The quarantine pass for adolescents will be implemented starting February next year. Prime Minister Kim emphasized, "The government will continuously evaluate all quarantine situations and promptly take stronger quarantine measures whenever necessary."

He added, "The most reliable defense against COVID-19 currently is vaccination. The third dose for the elderly and basic vaccination for adolescents hold the key to quarantine," urging participation in vaccination. He also requested companies to "strictly adhere to quarantine rules by industry and sector and to utilize remote work as much as possible until the end of the year to reduce the risk of infection spread even slightly." The government will operate a 'special quarantine inspection period' for one month starting from that day.