photo = Yonhap News
From today (18th), the new social distancing will be applied for two weeks. This is the last distance before ‘With Corona (step-by-step recovery)’ in earnest in early November. As this measure is a ‘stepping stone’ to With Corona, the operating hours of private gatherings and multi-use facilities have been lifted. In order to raise the vaccination rate, ‘incentives’ for those who completed vaccination were also strengthened. The main questions about complex distancing guidelines have been summarized in a question-and-answer format.
▶ How many people can gather who have not yet completed vaccination?
“In areas with the 4th stage of distancing, such as the metropolitan area, up to 4 people who have not completed vaccination can gather. Including those who have been vaccinated (those who have been vaccinated up to 2 times and passed the 14-day period for antibody formation), up to 8 people can be gathered. In stage 3 areas such as non-metropolitan areas, up to 10 people can gather privately. However, there must be at least 6 people who have completed vaccination.”
▶ After 6 pm in the metropolitan area.
“It’s the same. Previously, two more people had to be included after 6 pm, but from the 18th, the number of people before or after 6 pm is the same.”
▶Does the ‘vaccine incentive’ apply to non-restaurants and cafes?
“Yes. The benefit of lifting the limit on the number of private gatherings for those who have completed vaccination was originally only available at restaurants and cafes, but from now on, it will be applied to all multi-use facilities such as indoor sports facilities such as screen golf courses, karaoke rooms, and PC rooms. For example, screens in the metropolitan area The golf course can accommodate up to 8 people including 4 people who have completed inoculation.”
▶Is the meal after a business meeting or meeting a private gathering?
“Yes. A business meeting itself is an essential business activity of a company and does not fall under a private meeting, but a meal meeting before and after the meeting is considered a private meeting.”
▶ How many people can play golf?
“Golf should also follow the standards for the number of people in private gatherings. Previously, golf courses were not eligible for vaccine incentives. So, in the metropolitan area, only two players could play after 6 pm. Up to 10 people (including 6 people who have completed inoculation) can gather in non-metropolitan areas.”
▶Can I use the shower room in the indoor and outdoor sports facilities?
“It is possible only in non-metropolitan areas. We decided that it would be difficult to lift the ban on shower room operation in the 4th stage area, including the metropolitan area, because the scale of the COVID-19 epidemic is still large.”
▶The operating hours have been extended from 10:00 p.m. to midnight.
“In the metropolitan area, reading rooms, study cafes, performance halls, and movie theaters can be open until midnight. Restaurants and cafes can only be opened until 10 p.m. as before. In non-metropolitan areas where there are relatively few confirmed cases, restaurants and cafes are also open until midnight can do business.”
▶ Is it possible to watch sports events such as baseball, soccer, volleyball, and basketball in the metropolitan area?
“Only those who have been vaccinated are not allowed to enter the stadium even if they have a negative DNA amplification (PCR) test. You can do it. ‘Chimaek’ is still not possible, because only water and non-alcoholic beverages are allowed in the spectator seats, and food is not allowed. To eat food, it is possible only in a space set aside from the spectator seats.”
▶ How many people can attend the wedding?
“We can receive up to 250 guests regardless of whether or not meals are provided. However, there must be at least 201 inoculated people. If you have already decided not to provide meals, we can reduce the number of inoculated people to ’99 unvaccinated + vaccinated. Up to 199 people can enter.”
▶ What about religious facilities?
“In the metropolitan area, as before, up to 10% of the total capacity is allowed to enter. Instead, the upper limit of ‘up to 99 people’ was abolished, and it was made possible to 20% if only those who have completed vaccinations. A large church with a capacity of 5,000 people. can accommodate up to 500-1000 people. In non-metropolitan areas, up to 20% of the capacity, and up to 30% when composed only of those who have completed vaccination.
▶ Can a person who has completed the vaccination take off the mask?
“It should be worn in places where a large number of people gather, such as gatherings, performances, events, and sports fields, not only in indoor multi-use facilities, but also outdoors.”
Reporter Lee Seon-ah suna@hankyung.com
