In light of the recent explosion of COVID-19 infections in Seoul and Gyeonggi regions, Korean government has upgraded the social distancing guideline to LEVEL 2, from August 16, 2020.

- Strengthened measures are added as of August 19, 2020 (blue-colored below).

- Extended to all cities as of August 23, 2020 (for two weeks)

 

1. Large gatherings and events, with estimated attendees of more than 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors, are banned. 

 

2. Sporting events revert back to crowdless matches.

 

3. Indoor public facilities, including libraries, galleries, and museums, are closed.

 

Twelve types of private businesses designated as high-risk facilities (bars, karaoke businesses, clubs, indoor event halls, indoor gyms that offer GX activities, such as zumba, taebo, and spinning, large academies (hakwon), buffets, and internet cafes (newly added)) are closed.

* Local district offices may include additional types.

 

Despite not being listed as high-risk facilities, twelve new types of indoor private businesses must operate under the same strict quarantine measures.

* private academies (hakwon), arcades, large-sized regular restaurants, water parks, religious facilities, indoor wedding venues, concert halls, movie theaters, spas and saunas, indoor gyms, indoor game/DVD theaters (multi-bang, DVD-bang), funeral services

** Local district offices may include additional types.

 

Religious facilities in Seoul and Gyeonggi regions must operate under the same strict quarantine measures, from August 15, 2020.

* For churches in Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon, religious services are allowed only as a non-face-to-face basis, and all group activities organized by them are banned.

 

Welfare and childcare centers are advised to suspend operations.

* Emergency childcare services will be maintained.

 

4. Schools located in the regions with mass infections are recommended to shift to online/remote teaching. Other schools may conduct their in-person teaching plans, where only one-third of students are allowed to stay in schools.

 

5. Public organizations and institutions must restrict the number of commuters through flexible/remote working mode. Private companies and businesses are also recommended to restrict the number of commuters in a similar way.\

 

6. Residents of Seoul and Gyeonggi regions are recommended not to move to other cities but stay in town.

 

​In compliance with the measures, individuals are strongly advised to comply with COVID-19 prevention guidelines: 

 

1. Stay home if you feel ill or develop COVID-19's suspected symptoms (fever, sore throats, etc.).

 

2. Stay home unless it is necessary (visits to hospital, necessary grocery shopping, workplaces, etc.) and postpone or cancel group gatherings, trips, or events.

 - Have your meal delivered, rather than eating out. 

* There has been an increased number of infected cases who dined out; group gatherings that involve dining are strongly recommended to be cancelled.

 - Workout at home, rather than going to gyms.

 - Stay in touch with your friends or colleagues on a non-face-to-face basis, rather than meeting in person.

 - Shop online, rather than shopping at a mall.

 

3. When staying outdoors, wear a mask all the time and avoid visiting crowded and unventilated indoor places.

 - Wear a mask at all times while being indoors and also outdoors when it is not possible to keep a 2m distance from others.

* Activities that lead to taking off a mask (eating, singing, etc.) are to be suspended.

 - Keep a 2m (at least 1m) distance from others.

 - Activities that lead to respiratory droplets (shouting, singing aloud, etc.) and physical contacts between people (handshakes, hugs, etc.) are to be suspended.