Mass, Worship, and Dharma Assemblies Allow Up to 70% Attendance of Seating Capacity When Only Fully Vaccinated Individuals Attend (Comprehensive)

Participation limited to 30% or up to 299 people for unvaccinated individuals
Vaccination pass exceptions also considered unvaccinated

"Not discrimination against gatherings or protests... Indoor religious activities easier to manage total attendance"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] Additional quarantine reinforcement measures for religious facilities, which had sparked controversy after being excluded from the recently announced high-intensity social distancing measures, have been announced.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced on the 17th a plan to strengthen quarantine measures for religious facilities, allowing up to 30% (maximum 299 people) of the venue capacity when unvaccinated individuals participate in regular religious activities, and up to 70% attendance when operating under the quarantine pass system. The application period for these strengthened measures is the same as the social distancing reinforcement measures announced the previous day, lasting 16 days from the 18th to the 2nd of next month.

Accordingly, from the 18th, regular religious activities such as Mass, Dharma meetings, worship, and memorial services will only allow up to 30% (maximum 299 people) of the venue capacity if unvaccinated individuals, children, and adolescents participate together. Even if composed solely of fully vaccinated individuals, attendance is limited to 70% of the venue capacity. This significantly reduces the number of participants compared to the current system, where 100% attendance is allowed under the vaccination certificate/negative test confirmation system (quarantine pass), and 50% attendance is allowed regardless of vaccination status. Religious activity staff are excluded from the attendance count.

In particular, to meet the 70% attendance rate, participants must be composed exclusively of fully vaccinated individuals. Those currently exempt from the quarantine pass, such as PCR negative testers, children and adolescents under 18, COVID-19 recovered individuals, and those exempted from vaccination for medical reasons, are not allowed to attend. Regarding these measures, Son Young-rae, head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, explained during the COVID-19 briefing that "During the social distancing reinforcement period, unvaccinated individuals such as PCR negative testers and those under 18 will not be recognized, and the focus will be strictly on fully vaccinated individuals to strengthen protection for the elderly and unvaccinated."

Currently, religious small gatherings, which allow up to 6 people in the metropolitan area and 8 people in non-metropolitan areas when composed only of fully vaccinated individuals, will be reduced from the 18th to a maximum of 4 people composed only of fully vaccinated individuals, in line with the reduced private gathering limits.

Religious events such as prayer meetings and retreats will also follow the general large-scale event standards. Up to 49 people are allowed if unvaccinated individuals participate, and up to 299 people if operating under the quarantine pass system.

All other currently implemented quarantine rules remain the same. Masks must be worn at all times during religious activities. Choirs and praise teams must be composed only of fully vaccinated members, who must also wear masks during activities. Acts such as eating inside religious facilities, removing masks, and loud prayers that generate many droplets remain continuously prohibited.

On the 8th of last month, ten days before the 2022 College Scholastic Ability Test, believers were praying at the Suneung Prayer Ceremony held at the Daeungjeon Hall of Jogyesa Temple in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

Regarding the one-day delay in announcing these measures, Director Son Young-rae explained, "We initially created a plan for additional quarantine reinforcement measures for religious facilities through consultations, but as social distancing was further strengthened this time, we thought a more reinforced plan was necessary, so additional consultations took about a day."

In response to criticism that additional consultations were held only with the religious community, unlike with small business owners and self-employed individuals, he said, "We continue to gather opinions through each relevant ministry for their respective industries and facilities," adding, "We are not only collecting opinions from the religious community but trying to gather opinions as much as possible."

Director Son drew a clear line regarding criticism that quarantine measures are relaxed only for religion, despite freedom of assembly and demonstration being constitutional rights just like freedom of religion. He explained, "(Outdoor assemblies) are held outdoors, but participants shout slogans and chants," and "It is difficult to say which is riskier between outdoor assemblies and indoor religious activities."

Regarding attendance management, he explained, "Religious activity spaces have a structure that allows limiting the total number of attendees," and "It is difficult to establish a concept of capacity in outdoor spaces, making it hard to create standards for adjusting density within an area like in religious facilities."

He further emphasized, "The choice itself is the same for events and assemblies (as for religious activities)," and "If unvaccinated individuals are mixed, the limit is 49 people; if not mixed and managed with the quarantine pass concept focusing on fully vaccinated individuals, it is 299 people," stressing that there is no discrimination between activities.