Private Gatherings Expanded from 6 to 8 People Starting Tomorrow... Third Dose Vaccination for Ages 12-17 Begins in Earnest

Restaurant and Cafe Operating Hours Restricted to 'Until 11 PM'
Strongly Recommend 3rd Dose Vaccination for High-Risk Youth

On the 18th, when the COVID-19 variant outbreak entered its peak phase, medical staff at the temporary screening clinic in Seoul Plaza closely monitored the rapid antigen test kit results of a testee. On that day, 407,017 new confirmed cases were reported, bringing the total to 8,657,609. There were also 301 deaths recorded in a single day. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] From the 21st, the maximum number of private gatherings will increase from 6 to 8 people. The third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine for those aged 12 to 17 will officially begin.

According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters on the 20th, from the 21st, with the partial easing of social distancing, private gatherings will be allowed up to 8 people regardless of region or vaccination status. If the gathering includes cohabiting family members or people requiring care such as children, elderly, or disabled persons, gatherings of more than 8 people are also permitted.

The operating hours of 12 types of multi-use facilities subject to COVID-19 business restrictions?such as entertainment establishments, restaurants and cafes, karaoke (coin) rooms, bathhouses, indoor sports facilities, PC rooms, multi-rooms and arcades, party rooms, casinos, massage parlors and therapy centers, lifelong vocational education institutes, movie theaters, and performance halls?remain unchanged, closing at 11 PM.

For movie theaters and performance halls, compliance is considered met if the last screening or performance starts before 11 PM. However, the event must end before 1 AM the next day.

Social distancing measures related to events, assemblies, and religious facilities remain as they are. Non-regular performances, sports competitions, festivals, etc., with over 300 attendees can be held as before with approval from relevant ministries. Essential corporate management activities such as regular shareholders' meetings and events like exhibitions and fairs, which are subject to separate quarantine rules, no longer have restrictions on the number of attendees provided basic guidelines are followed.

For regular religious activities such as mass, Buddhist ceremonies, worship, and memorial services, gatherings can be held up to 70% of the facility’s capacity regardless of vaccination status. For religious events such as retreats, prayer meetings, and revivals, gatherings are limited to a maximum of 299 people. These social distancing measures will be in effect for two weeks until the 3rd of next month.

The third dose vaccination for those aged 12 to 17 who have completed their second dose (youth born between 2005 and 2010 who have already had their birthday) will also officially begin on the 21st. General adolescents can receive the third dose 3 months (90 days) after their second dose, and immunocompromised adolescents can receive it after 2 months (60 days).

The government has been accepting vaccination reservations through the pre-booking website since the 14th, and vaccinations based on these reservations will start on the 21st. Same-day third dose vaccinations using leftover vaccines have been available since the 14th. Parental (legal guardian) consent is required for adolescent third dose vaccinations, and the Pfizer vaccine is used.

The government strongly recommends the third dose for high-risk groups such as immunocompromised individuals, those with diabetes, obesity, chronic lung, heart, liver, or kidney diseases, neurological or neuromuscular diseases, and adolescents living in group facilities such as social welfare facilities due to chronic illnesses. For other adolescents, it is recommended to carefully consider the benefits of vaccination and make a voluntary decision. Adolescents who have been infected with COVID-19 after completing their second dose are not recommended to receive the third dose, similar to adults.