From the 4th to the 17th, Private Gatherings Limited to 10 People and Business Hours Until Midnight
"If the Decline is Confirmed, Consider Lifting All Other Quarantine Measures Except Indoor Masks"
[Asia Economy Reporter Ki Ha-young] From the 4th, the limit on private gathering sizes will be expanded from the current 8 people to 10 people for two weeks, and business hours restrictions will also be extended until midnight. The government plans to consider lifting all quarantine regulations except for indoor mask-wearing if the COVID-19 outbreak clearly shifts to a declining trend over the next two weeks and severe cases and the healthcare system are managed stably.
On the 1st, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters announced the 'Social Distancing Adjustment Plan' with these details. Accordingly, from the 4th to the 17th, the business hours restriction for multi-use facilities such as restaurants and cafes will be eased by one hour, from 11 PM to midnight. The private gathering size limit will also be expanded from 8 to 10 people regardless of vaccination status. However, exceptions apply for cohabiting families or cases requiring care such as children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.
The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters plans to decide on further easing measures while monitoring the quarantine situation and medical capacity. Minister Kwon Deok-cheol of the Ministry of Health and Welfare said, "If the declining trend continues over the next two weeks and severe cases and the healthcare system remain stable, we will comprehensively adjust social distancing measures thereafter," adding, "Ultimately, except for indoor mask-wearing, all quarantine regulations including business hours, private gatherings, and large-scale events will be lifted, moving toward a system closer to normal daily life."
Minister Kwon explained, "According to a joint analysis by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and KIST on March 30, the high transmissibility of Omicron has reduced the effectiveness of social distancing in suppressing the outbreak compared to the previous Delta variant," and added, "Even with eased social distancing, the number of confirmed cases is predicted to increase by only 10-20%." He further stated, "Future adjustments to social distancing will focus on whether the declining trend continues over two weeks and whether severe cases and the healthcare system remain stable."
The government evaluated that the COVID-19 outbreak peaked two weeks ago and has been gradually declining since. However, severe cases and deaths have not yet peaked, so an increase may continue until early to mid-April, and it is uncertain whether the decline will be sustained steadily due to the dominance of the BA.2 (Stealth Omicron) variant.
Under this measure, multi-use facilities with extended business hours until midnight include entertainment bars, karaoke bars, clubs (nightclubs), emotional pubs, hunting pubs, colatecs and dance halls, restaurants and cafes, karaoke rooms, bathhouses, indoor sports facilities, lifelong vocational education academies, PC rooms, arcades and multi-rooms, casinos, party rooms, massage and therapy centers, and movie theaters and performance halls. Only lifelong vocational education academies among academies are subject to the midnight restriction. Movie theaters and performance halls are allowed to operate until midnight based on the start time of screenings or performances.
Measures related to events, assemblies, and religious facilities remain unchanged. Events and assemblies can be held with up to 299 people regardless of vaccination status. Non-regular performances, sports competitions, festivals, and other events with 300 or more attendees require approval from relevant ministries. Regular religious activities such as Mass, Buddhist ceremonies, and worship services can be held at up to 70% of the venue capacity regardless of vaccination status. Religious events can be held with up to 299 people according to the gathering and event standards.
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