Announcement of Strengthened Social Distancing Measures
Unvaccinated Individuals Prohibited from Group Dining in Restaurants... Only Single Use Allowed
Cinemas, Performance Venues, and PC Rooms Open Until 10 PM
Introduction of Quarantine Pass Validity Period Delayed by 2 Weeks to Next Month 3rd
Overcrowded Schools in the Capital Area and Non-Capital Areas
Density Reduced to Two-Thirds Starting from the 20th
On the afternoon of the 13th, when the mandatory implementation of the quarantine pass began, a notice regarding the application of the quarantine pass was posted at a restaurant in downtown Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporters Chunhee Lee, Jinju Han, Jeongyun Lee] The most notable feature of the strengthened "social distancing" measures, which the government will implement nationwide starting on the 18th, is the urgent imposition of uniform emergency measures across the country. Moreover, access to restaurants and cafes will be effectively restricted for those unvaccinated against COVID-19, and the permitted size for events and gatherings has been drastically reduced. The introduction of the validity period for the vaccination certificate and negative test confirmation system (quarantine pass), originally scheduled for the 20th, has been postponed by two weeks to the 3rd of next month.
According to the strengthened distancing measures announced by the government on the 16th, the previously expected separate standards for the metropolitan area and non-metropolitan areas regarding limits on private gatherings will now uniformly allow only up to four people nationwide. This is the first time in three months, since September 5th, that gatherings of five or more people have been regulated uniformly across the country. However, existing exceptions such as cohabiting family members and caregiving (for children, elderly, disabled, etc.) remain in place. Formal meetings like sanggyeonrye (traditional Korean formal meetings between families before marriage) are considered general private gatherings and are not included in the exceptions.
Gatherings of unvaccinated individuals at restaurants and cafes are effectively prohibited without a negative PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test certificate. While the government had previously allowed gatherings including one unvaccinated person at restaurants and cafes, considering their essential use, this will now be further restricted. Unvaccinated individuals who are not exempt from the quarantine pass will only be allowed to dine or drink coffee alone ("honbap" for eating alone, "honker" for drinking coffee alone) or use takeout and delivery services. This aims to significantly reduce the risk of transmission by unvaccinated persons. Exceptions remain for those with a negative PCR test, individuals under 18, COVID-19 recovered patients, and those exempted from vaccination for medical reasons.
Restrictions on business hours for multi-use facilities, which previously applied only to the highest-risk Group 1 facilities such as entertainment venues (midnight closing), have been reinstated. Entertainment venues with a high risk of droplet transmission and Group 2 facilities (restaurants, cafes, karaoke rooms, bathhouses, gyms) must close by 9 PM. Dancing restaurants, host bars, and similar establishments are also classified as entertainment venues and must close by 9 PM. Facilities with somewhat lower risk, such as movie theaters, performance halls, arcades, PC rooms, academies, and party rooms (Group 3), may operate until 10 PM.
Regarding academies, considering the ongoing university entrance exam schedules, only lifelong vocational education academies are subject to business hour restrictions; youth entrance exam academies are exempt. However, Jeong Kyung-ik, Director of the Lifelong Education Bureau at the Ministry of Education, stated, "Some local education offices have ordinances applying business hour restrictions to academies. If such restrictions exist, academies must comply with those hours." Accordingly, in regions like Seoul and Gyeonggi where local ordinances limit academy operating hours to 10 PM, academies must close by 10 PM regardless of quarantine measures.
Although there were discussions about imposing business hour restrictions and quarantine pass requirements on multi-use facilities such as stores, marts, and department stores, it was decided not to apply these measures to such facilities. Controller Lee Ki-il explained, "(These facilities) generally close around 10 PM," and thus they will be excluded from quarantine pass requirements.
The permitted size for large-scale events and gatherings, which could previously accommodate up to 499 people with the use of a quarantine pass, will also be reduced. Currently, events without vaccination distinctions can have up to 99 people, and those with quarantine pass application can have 100 to 499 participants. Starting on the 18th, events without vaccination distinctions will be limited to 49 people, and those requiring a quarantine pass will allow 50 to 299 participants. Events previously exempt from quarantine pass requirements, such as shareholder meetings and National Assembly sessions, will now require a quarantine pass if 50 or more people gather.
To avoid confusion for couples with weddings scheduled this weekend, weddings may choose to apply either the existing standard of 250 people total (49 unvaccinated and 201 vaccinated) or the new general event standard.
On the 14th, students are attending school at an elementary school in Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]
The Ministry of Education will adjust school attendance density to two-thirds for all schools in the metropolitan area and overcrowded schools in non-metropolitan areas from the 20th until winter vacation, one month after full in-person attendance resumed. For elementary schools, grades 1 and 2 will have full attendance, while grades 3 to 6 will attend at three-quarters capacity. Middle and high schools will attend at two-thirds capacity. Kindergartens, special classes (schools), care programs, and small or rural schools will operate normally. Universities are also recommended to switch large lectures, theory, and liberal arts classes to online formats.
Strengthening quarantine rules for religious facilities is still under discussion. Currently, religious facilities can operate at 100% capacity with quarantine pass application, and at 50% capacity including unvaccinated individuals. Controller Lee Ki-il stated, "We are considering strengthening quarantine measures for religious facilities as well," adding, "I understand that the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will begin consultations with religious groups today regarding additional measures."
Meanwhile, the introduction of a validity period for the quarantine pass, originally scheduled for the 20th, has been postponed by two weeks to the 3rd of next month. The government explained that this decision was made to allow sufficient vaccination opportunities amid expected strengthened year-end and New Year quarantine measures. Regarding the planned introduction of the quarantine pass for adolescents in February next year, there is also a possibility of delay. Director Jeong Byeong-ik stated, "We are conducting consultations with the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency based on field feedback," and promised to announce finalized details within the year.
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