On the afternoon of the 19th of last month, on the streets of Itaewon, Seoul, merchants are hanging up banners while protesting the government’s policy such as restricting business operations until 9 o’clock. yunhap news
From the 15th, the’social distancing’ stage has partially eased, and among self-employed people, reactions of “breathing” and criticism of “disappearance” are mixed. On the 14th, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters announced that it would ease social distancing between the metropolitan and non-capital areas by one step, step 2 and step 1.5, respectively. Accordingly, the restrictions on the operation of movie theaters, PC cafes, and academies in the metropolitan area are lifted, and the operating restrictions for restaurants, indoor sports facilities, and cafes are extended by one hour until 10 pm.
Businesses operating during the daytime are’welcome’
The streets of Myeong-dong, Seoul on the 6th. yunhap news
Workers in industries such as restaurants and cafes agreed that an hour extension would help increase sales. Lee Mo, in her 40s, who runs a cafe in Icheon, Gyeonggi-do, said, “It seems like an hour is a short period of time, but it is good news from the perspective of the owner as you can receive customers during that time.”
The academy, who has been raising their voices asking for the lifting of the operating time limit, is also saying’welcome’ to this policy. Lee Sang-moo, CEO of the Association of Private Education Association, said, “I have a breathtaking breath in the new semester in March, which is a very important time for the sales of the academy,” and “Unless there is a special reason for the number of confirmed patients to increase significantly in the past year, “The distance adjustment plan should continue to be maintained in the future.”
The wedding hall, which has been struggling with the change in the number of visitors, is also happy to adjust the distance. The number of employees has increased from 49 to 99. Immo (31), a prospective bride who is expected to marry on the 20th, said, “The days I have been preparing for the ceremony while sleeping in my heart seem to be compensated.”
“Only one hour extension…no meaning”
A member is shaving as a protest sign at a rally calling for the withdrawal of the order to ban the gathering of entertainment establishments held in front of Seosan City Hall on the 8th hosted by the Seosan Branch of the Korea Entertainment Association. yunhap news
On the other hand, self-employed people in industries where nighttime customers are crowded cannot hide their regret. Yang Soo-nam (61, female), who runs a bar in Gunpo-si, Gyeonggi-do, said, “If you open an hour long, there is an expectation that it will be better than before. Even from a customer’s point of view, you will have a hurry to eat, but you will have a spare time. There is no lunch business, so the business hours are short. I have a heart that would have been a bit longer.”
There are also voices asking for detailed quarantine measures in consideration of the specificity of each industry. “It’s only a contempt to increase an hour.” Choi Won-bong, acting president of the Korea Entertainment and Food Industry Federation, said, “Even if the business hours at night are extended by 1 hour until 10:00 pm, it is meaningless. Eventually, it is the same as banning meetings.” Yes. It’s not a matter of livelihood, but it’s at the crossroads between life and death. To guarantee a minimum livelihood, you have to open the door for six hours.
Lee Seung-min, head of the National Singing Practice Association, said, “The karaoke room requires customers to arrive at 8 pm. Even if the time is extended until 10 pm, the deadline should start at around 9:40.” “Even relief measures don’t mean it touches the skin.”
As entertainment establishments such as nightclubs and clubs reopen after about three months in the metropolitan area, expectations and concerns are crossing. The quarantine authorities have put up conditional business, such as prohibiting seat movement and dancing, but there are also great concerns about whether the quarantine rules will be followed. On the 13th, when an emotional bar in Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do posted a notice that “it will go into normal business from 4 pm,” there were dozens of comments such as “It’s time for us to get together” and “let’s get ready.”
Regarding this, a response from the social network service (SNS), saying, “It’s not like I’m surprised,” “Do you not think of a new coronavirus infection (Corona 19) group infection?” Regarding this, an entertainment industry worker said, “I think the cooperation of the owners and users is the most important,” and said, “We will do business while strictly following the quarantine regulations so as not to provide a pretext for the spread of Corona 19.”
Reporters Kwon Hye-rim and Chae Hye-seon [email protected]