Naju City Extends 'Social Distancing' Until the 6th of Next Month... Private Gatherings Limited to 4 People

[Naju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yukbong] Naju City announced on the 18th that it will extend the current social distancing measures for three weeks until the 6th of next month, following the extension of quarantine measures by Jeollanam-do.

Jeollanam-do has limited private gatherings to 4 people in four cities/counties including Naju, Mokpo, Muan, and Yeongam, where COVID-19 cases are rapidly increasing.

Accordingly, private gatherings in the Naju area are allowed up to 4 people regardless of vaccination status.

Exceptions to the private gathering limit include cohabiting family members, care for children (under 12 years old), elderly, disabled persons, and family gatherings for end-of-life care.

Events and assemblies are allowed up to 49 people regardless of vaccination status, and if all attendees are fully vaccinated (including those with confirmed negative PCR tests), up to 299 people can participate.

Operating hours for multi-use facilities such as restaurants, cafes, entertainment venues, colatecs, dance halls, coin karaoke rooms, bathhouses, and indoor sports facilities are until 9 PM, after which only takeout and delivery are permitted until 5 AM the next day.

Academies (limited to lifelong vocational education academies), casinos, arcades, multi-rooms, PC rooms, party rooms, and massage businesses can operate until 10 PM.

For movie theaters and performance venues, screenings and performances that start before 9 PM are allowed to continue until they finish (not exceeding midnight), considering operational conditions.

The vaccine pass system, a proof of vaccination, has been reduced and applied to 11 industries starting today, according to the recent government announcement.

The targeted industries include restaurants, cafes, entertainment facilities, coin karaoke rooms, indoor sports facilities, bathhouses, bicycle racing, motorboat racing, horse racing, casinos, multi-rooms (excluding arcades), PC rooms, indoor sports stadiums (spectator), party rooms, and massage/therapy businesses.

For restaurants and cafes where mask-wearing is difficult, unvaccinated or partially vaccinated individuals can only use the facilities alone, considering the essential nature of use.

Violations of private gathering limits and operating hour restrictions will result in fines under the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act, and depending on the number of violations, phased suspension or closure measures will be implemented.

Meanwhile, as of this day, the total number of COVID-19 confirmed cases in the Naju area is 710.

This month, there have been 213 confirmed cases, including 51 Omicron variant cases (66 cumulative), which are spreading rapidly.

In response, the city issued an urgent appeal on the 14th requesting participation in daily quarantine measures such as "preemptive testing even with cold symptoms," "wearing KF94 or higher masks," "refraining from visiting other regions and various events/gatherings," and "vaccination."

A city official said, "With many asymptomatic and highly transmissible Omicron cases increasing, we are conducting an all-out quarantine effort ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday," and added, "We ask for active cooperation with this extension of social distancing measures to restore citizens’ healthy daily lives."

Naju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yukbong bong2910@asiae.co.kr