There is an event notice in front of a restaurant in a university street in Seoul on the 24th of last month, when a special quarantine measure to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus infection (Corona 19) in Korea is in effect during the year-end and New Year holidays.
The ban on private gatherings of 5 or more people, which has been applied only to the metropolitan area for two weeks from the 4th, will be expanded nationwide. Outdoor winter sports facilities, such as academies and ski resorts in the metropolitan area, can be opened on a limited basis.
The government extended the social distancing phase, which is scheduled to end on the 3rd, and special quarantine measures for the year-end and New Year holidays for two weeks until the 17th. As the number of new confirmed cases fell below 1,000 last week, and the distance-taking effect gradually appeared, it means that we will tighten the reins of quarantine for two weeks and turn it back to a definite decline.
“The next two weeks are the time when we can solidify the quarantine system and reduce the number of patients,” said Kwon Deok-cheol, the first deputy chief of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (competitive script). “If we can spend a month beyond the last hurdle, we will prevent We will be able to stably control the situation until the time when vaccinations and treatments are used.” Deputy Deputy General Kwon emphasized, “It does not mean that meetings of up to 4 people are safe. Please cancel all private meetings for two weeks.”
Accordingly, the quarantine guidelines that will change from tomorrow are summarized in question and answer.
- The ban on private gatherings of more than 5 people nationwide has expanded. Shouldn’t we just gather at the restaurant?
- “no. Until now, the ban on meetings of five or more people across the country has been banned only for meetings in restaurants. In the case of private meetings in other spaces, it was recommended to refrain from non-metropolitan areas. However, from the 4th to 2 weeks, meetings of 5 or more people are completely banned even in non-metropolitan areas.
- What is the scope of the private meeting? Does it apply to having lunch with colleagues at work?
- “It is. It is explained that the government prohibits temporary gathering and gathering activities in which five or more people gather in the same time zone and in the same place (indoor/outdoor) according to a schedule agreed, promised, and announced in advance for personal purposes such as social formation. All private gatherings such as alumni associations, clubs, outings, workplace dinners (including lunch and dinner with employees at a restaurant), step-by-step gatherings, housewarming, New Year’s Party, year-end party, first birthday party, sixtieth birthday, seventieth birthday, online cafe regular meetings, etc. do. The’range of 5 people’ excludes personnel and workers in multi-use facilities.”
- What are the penalties for violating the ban on meetings with more than 5 people?
- “According to the law on the prevention and management of infectious diseases, violators may be fined up to 100,000 won. Fines for negligence may be redundantly imposed, and reimbursement rights may be claimed for the cost of treatment, etc. when confirming the occurrence of a confirmed person due to an administrative order violation.”
On the morning of the 11th of last month, officials from the Federation of Korean Institutes are holding an uprising meeting in front of the Ministry of Health and Welfare at the Sejong City Government Complex, calling for the’withdrawal of the administrative order banning the group of schools in the metropolitan area’.
- Are there any exceptions
- “There are exceptions where groups of 5 or more are allowed. This is a case where family members and others gather for daily family life. If family members with the same living space gather, or if care is required for children, the elderly, and the handicapped, there is a possibility of dying. Weddings and funerals can meet up to 49 people in the metropolitan area and 99 people in the non-metropolitan area, depending on the standards for meetings and events in stages. Events such as briefing sessions, public hearings, etc. are available for up to 49 people in the metropolitan area and 99 people in the non-metropolitan area, and up to 49 people in the metropolitan area and 99 people in the non-metropolitan area by separating the test into different classrooms according to the meeting and event standards for each stage of distance. . Regular corporate shareholders’ meetings, National Assembly meetings for budget and bill processing, and meetings related to public affairs or essential business activities such as broadcasting production and transmission can be held. In this case, it is also excluded from the number of restrictions.
- Can outdoor sports facilities such as ski resorts and snow sledding grounds be reopened?
- “Nationwide, outdoor winter sports facilities such as ski resorts and snow sledding are allowed to operate, but they must be closed from 9 pm to 5 am the next day. Capacity is limited to one-third. Equipment rentals, changing rooms, and other facilities at the ski resort are prohibited. Internal facilities such as changing rooms should be disinfected at least twice a day. Shuttle bus service between other areas and ski resorts is also suspended. Closed outdoor screen golf courses are also banned in the metropolitan area.”
- Can I open all the academies and lessons in the metropolitan area?
- “no. In principle, academies and training centers in the metropolitan area are prohibited from gathering. However, the government decided to allow the operation when the total number of teachers at the same time of the facility is 9 or less, or when teaching for college entrance examinations in 2021, taking into account the winter vacation care gap. Non-metropolitan academies and classrooms are allowed to operate, but food intake and number restrictions must be observed.”
In order to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (Corona 19), a gym in downtown Seoul, which was closed on the 8th of last month, when the 2.5 step of social distancing was implemented in the metropolitan area, is busy. News 1
- Is it impossible to operate Taekwondo or ballet academies where children attend if they are registered as indoor sports facilities?
- “no. Sports painting businesses such as Taekwondo allow up to 9 teachers at the same time for children and students even if they are reported as indoor sports facilities. Ballet academy is not reported as an indoor sports facility and is registered as an academy under the Academy Act.”
- Why did indoor sports facilities like health clubs and Pilates fall out of reopening facilities?
- “Indoor sports facilities are banned from gathering in step 2.5 according to the reorganization plan. However, it is explained that the government has allowed an exceptionally limited operation in indoor sports facilities, considering the fact that Taekwondo is operated in a similar form to academy and performs caring functions.”
Reporters Esther and Choi Eun-kyung [email protected]