Up to 6 People Including Visiting Relatives... Cohabiting Family Members Are Exempt
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] The current social distancing measures, which limit private gatherings to 6 people and restrict operating hours of restaurants and cafes to 9 PM, will remain in effect during this year's Lunar New Year holiday (January 29 to February 2), which is less than a week away.
According to health authorities on the 22nd, these strict social distancing measures will be maintained until February 6, including the Lunar New Year holiday period.
Accordingly, even if people meet at home during the holiday, gatherings must not exceed 6 people. However, the limit does not apply to cohabiting family members who live together in the same residence as registered on their resident registration certificates. Even if family members have been living apart due to work or study in other regions, they are exempt from the limit if they are recognized as cohabiting family members on their family relationship certificates.
On the 18th, Son Youngrae, head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, said in a phone interview with a radio broadcast regarding the "Lunar New Year family gathering limit," "It is the same as when it is not a holiday. Family gatherings of up to 6 people, including visitors such as relatives, are allowed. However, those living together are exempt."
Visiting ancestors or parents in hospitals during the holiday is also restricted. Ancestral rites and memorial facilities' ceremonial rooms have been closed from the 21st until February 6. Indoor memorial facilities and bereaved family lounges are operating by advance reservation. Additionally, from the 24th to February 6, contact visits to nursing hospitals and facilities are prohibited and operated by advance reservation. However, in urgent situations such as end-of-life, contact visits may be allowed based on the judgment of the relevant institutions.
Temporary screening clinics will be additionally installed and operated at highway rest areas. These include ▲ Anseong Rest Area on the Gyeongbu Line (Seoul direction) ▲ Icheon Rest Area on the Jungbu Line (Hanam direction) ▲ Yongin Rest Area on the Yeongdong Line (Incheon direction) ▲ Naerimcheon Rest Area on the Seoul-Yangyang Line (both directions) ▲ Hoengseong Rest Area on the Yeongdong Line (Gangneung direction) ▲ Baekyangsa Rest Area on the Honam Line (Suncheon direction) ▲ Hampyeongcheonji Rest Area on the Seohaean Line (Mokpo direction) ▲ Gimcheon-Gumi KTX Station ▲ and an indoor badminton court near Jeonju Express Bus Terminal.
On the 14th, Kwon Deokcheol, 1st Deputy Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Minister of Health and Welfare), announced special Lunar New Year quarantine measures, stating, "For unavoidable homecomings, we recommend that only those who have received the third vaccination dose visit in small groups and for a short time," and "If elderly parents have not yet received the third dose, please refrain from returning home for their safety."
Health authorities are concerned that the large-scale population movement during the Lunar New Year holiday may accelerate the spread of the Omicron COVID-19 variant domestically, potentially causing a surge in new confirmed cases. As of midnight on this day, 7,630 new COVID-19 cases were reported, marking the second consecutive day with numbers in the 7,000s. This is the second-largest figure ever recorded, following 7,848 cases on the 15th of last month. Health authorities and the medical community predict that the Omicron detection rate will exceed 50% this weekend, becoming the dominant strain, and daily confirmed cases will surpass 10,000 next week.
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