Dear citizens of Seoul,
As of today at midnight (Mon, Dec. 21), the total number of confirmed cases in Seoul was 15,039 with 328 added cases from yesterday, and 157 confirmed cases were reported between 12 AM and 2 PM. Within two weeks after the accumulated number of confirmed cases surpassed 10,000 on the 6th, the number rose heavily over 15,000. The total number of deaths by COVID-19 increased to 136 with six deaths occurring within a single day, which is the highest number of deaths to occur so far within Seoul.
Social distancing levels have been reinforced three times within the past month and measures for disease control and prevention intensified, but we still face the greatest crisis amid this pandemic.
According to the cases of mass outbreaks in the past four weeks, 41.4% of outbreaks occurred in restaurants and other multi-purpose facilities with 16.9% occurring at the workplace, 15.5% at religious facilities, and 12.3% at hospitals and convalescent hospitals. The percentages of asymptomatic cases and cases with untraceable infection routes both hit 30.1% as of last week.
According to the use of subways, buses and other modes of public transport, the practice of social distancing by citizens decreased by 26.9% after 9 PM, but mass sporadic outbreaks continue to occur in everyday life like an unquenchable fire.
Dear citizens,
We cannot overcome this crisis without reducing mass infections that are spreading through private gatherings among family members, acquaintances, colleagues and friends. This is our last chance to stop the further spread of COVID-19.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG), with Gyeonggi-do Province and Incheon Metropolitan City, is prohibiting private gatherings of 5 or more people starting midnight on Wed, Dec. 23 until Sun, Jan. 3.
All alumni gatherings, club meetings, picnics, new year celebrations, company dinners, and workshops in addition to personal, intimate gatherings like savings club gatherings, housewarming parties, and all birthday celebrations are prohibited. However, the gathering of 50 or less people, the standard for level 2.5 social distancing, will be permitted for weddings and funerals.
It goes without question that this administrative order applies to both indoor and outdoor gatherings, and the same order will apply to Gyeonggi-do Province and Incheon Metropolitan City. In the case that this order is violated, strict measures will be made, which includes a fee that will be levied on both the business owner and customer and other administrative measures.
With the rising number of confirmed cases daily, the number of hospital beds have reached its limit. Presently, the percentage of operating hospital beds at infectious disease hospitals in Seoul is 85.4% Currently, 87 of the total 91 hospital beds for seriously ill patients in Seoul are in use with just four hospitals rooms available for hospitalization.
The matter of availability of hospital beds for critical patients is directly connected to citizens’ lives as the percentage of confirmed patients over the age of sixty hit 32.1% last week.
The SMG plans to add an additional nine hospital rooms for the seriously ill by today (Mon, Dec. 21) with one hospital room at Ewha Womans University Seoul Hospital, four at Kyunghee University Hospital, and four at Severance Hospital in Sinchon. Additional 105 rooms will be secured by the end of this month to double accommodative capacity of hospital rooms for the critical patients.
The number of community treatment centers in Seoul have been increased to 11 locations with 2,227 hospital beds for symptomatic patients and patients with mild symptoms, and 1,261 beds are currently in use with just 492 beds available to patients. Community treatment centers of autonomous districts have also been increased to 19 locations with 1,437 hospital beds.
Despite such efforts, two confirmed patients in Seoul regrettably passed away before being transferred to a hospital. We offer our deepest condolences as we feel a heavy sense of responsibility. The SMG will make our best effort to secure additional hospitals beds to prevent such a situation from repeating itself while making preparations for emergency situations and lessen the uneasiness of patients as they wait for available hospital beds. To address this matter, the SMG will operate a medical consultation system for patients on standby for hospital beds at the Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital and Yeouido St. Mary’s Hospital.
This is a system in which online medical consultations are provided to patients on standby via an app by 20 doctors at the St. Mary’s Hospitals in the fields of infectious disease, pulmonology, psychiatry, and emergency medicine. Patients can use this system for emergency measures in the case that standby patients experience worsening symptoms or emergency situations.
The MOU for the medical consultation system at the Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital and Yeouido St. Mary’s Hospital will be concluded momentarily and will be enforced starting tomorrow.
Furthermore, the discovery of the infection through prompt testing is our priority to stop the chain of COVID-19 infections. We will devote ourselves to stopping the chain of asymptomatic infections by largely increasing the number of tests on citizens.
Starting on Mon, Dec. 14, the SMG began operation of temporary COVID-19 screening clinics, and 97,625 individuals were tested for one week until Sun, Dec. 20 and 281 patients were tested positive. The percentage of positive test results was 0.29%. The percentage of those who tested positive was 0.01%, which was about one in ten thousand, but the percentage of those who tested positive at the temporary screening clinics reached thirty in ten thousand, which is thirty times more than the earlier number. We conclude that the regional infection has spread extensively.
It is clear that the uneasiness of citizens has led to more testing for the disease. The number of tests concluded daily increased by thirteen times with 2,241 tested on the first day on Mon, Dec. 14 and 28,511 tested by Fri, Dec. 18.
2,241 (Dec. 14) / 8,336 (Dec. 15) / 11,192 (Dec. 16) / 17,576 (Dec. 17) / 28,511 (Dec. 18) / 19,740 (Dec. 19) / 10,029 (Dec. 20)
Visiting screening clinics will be operated for high-risk individuals who cannot travel, businesses where large numbers of workers must travel all at once, and facilities needing additional support due to the sudden temporary rise in demand for tests to ensure prompt testing without blind spots.
We ask that high-risk groups that are exposed to congested environments, such as parcel and distribution centers, call centers, sewing businesses, religious facilities, convalescent facilities, and restaurants, staff members of convalescent hospitals with high fatality rates, staff members of emergency care systems, and drivers of subways, buses and taxis be tested immediately.
All asymptomatic citizens can be tested anonymously, free of charge, and we ask that they be tested when suspicious of the slightest symptoms. The screening clinics will be open until 9 PM on weekdays and 6 PM on weekends, and temporary screening clinics will be operated at fifty-four main locations in Seoul, including Seoul Plaza, Gangnam Station and Sindorim Station.
Dear citizens,
Seoul is in a state of the calm before the storm.
If we do not put a stop to this explosive spreading, Seoul can be put on lockdown like New York and London.
We must do all that can be done to avoid level 3 social distancing, which will put a stop to our economy and daily lives. It is a time for extreme control, sacrifice, and patience.
Prohibiting private gatherings of five or more people effective midnight on Wed, Dec. 23 is indeed a severe measure for the citizens. However, we cannot put an end to the pandemic if we do not stop the spreading among families, acquaintances and colleagues. A time of crisis is inevitable. We sincerely ask that the citizens stand with us at the front line of taking preventive measures. Thank you.
FAQ Regarding the Administrative Order Prohibiting Private Gatherings of 5 or More People
※This Q&A was prepared in consideration of the gravity of the COVID-19 situation and is subject to change in accordance with deliberations with the government and local government bodies, opinions of concerned societies and experts, and on-site opinions following the actual implementation of the measures.
- Although social distancing and the “3T” strategy of testing, tracing, and treatment/quarantine proved effective during the mass infections (by the Shincheonji Church, etc.) in February and August, the disease is presently spreading regionally.
- There have been continued cases of infection through deviant behaviors and social activities, such as eating after church services, small group meetings, and friendly gatherings, despite the observance of quarantine measures like social distancing and the wearing of masks.
- There is also the need for minimal unnecessary gatherings and events under the prediction that citizens will be exposed to the danger of infections through various gatherings and events throughout communities during the holiday season.
- We have dealt with the infection through the control of social distancing levels but the present situation differs from earlier situations. Level 3 of social distancing will be the last resort as the raising of the level can leave a fatal aftermath on people’s livelihood and daily lives.
- The Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) is making preparations for the possible raising to level 3 and is doing its best with the government to stop the mass spreading without raising the social distancing level to level 3.
- In whatever circumstance, the success or failure of social distancing depends on the participation of the citizens.
- The government has deliberated over the prohibited gathering of more than ten people, which would be the first step of level 3 social distancing, and the prohibited gathering of five or more people was closely examined with the government.
- Due to the gravity of the COVID-19 situation in the Metropolitan area, the three local government bodies agreed on the need for restricted gatherings and mutually agreed to go forward with the prohibition on gatherings after deliberation with the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters regarding the period and scope of the administrative order.
- The provision of facilities (through reservations or allowing the entry of five or more people at the same time) of group activities that require five or more people to gather at the same time at the same location with the same purpose (limited to private purposes such as the formation of friendly relations) is prohibited.
- This administrative order applies to all citizens and visitors in Seoul and the details are as follows (refer to attached SMG Notification No. 2020-585):
- – (Location) All indoor and outdoor locations
- – (Purpose) Private purposes such as the formation of friendly relations
- · All gatherings and/or events with the primary or secondary purpose of forming friendly relations such as alumni gatherings, club meetings, picnics, company dinners (including lunches), workshops, retreats, savings club gatherings, housewarming parties, new year celebrations, all birthday celebrations, and online café gatherings.
- · (Exemptions) Weddings (with attendance by maximum 50 people), funerals (maximum 30 people), and exams in a divided space (maximum 50 people) are permitted in observance with level 2.5 social distancing regulations
- ※ Gatherings that are inevitable as mandatory business activities or as public duties of administrative and public institutions are exempt from this prohibition
- – (Number of People) The gatherings of five or more people is prohibited. However, family members and those sharing the same residence on their resident registration card may gather for everyday home life indoors and outdoors
*Family members refer to immediate families stated on the family relations registration card
- This order applies to citizens and visitors of Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi-do Province.
- This administrative order applies to all citizens of Seoul (along with residents of Incheon and Gyeonggi-do Province), and participation in gatherings and/or events (that are in no connection with the region to which an individual belongs) with five or more people present is prohibited in all regions.
- Private gatherings and/or events of four people or less are allowed, which allows for the possible minimal, necessary gatherings, however, citizens are asked to refrain from attending any gatherings and/or events during the administrative period.
- This administrative order applies to all citizens and visitors of Seoul.
- All citizens of Seoul must observe the administrative order in other regions, and people visiting Seoul cannot attend private gatherings of five or more people in Seoul no matter what region they are residents of.
- This administrative order allows for the basic activities of level 2.5 social distancing but prohibits “private gatherings.”
- A “private gathering” refers to all group activities that require five or more people to gather at the same time at the same location with the same purpose (limited to private purposes such as the formation of friendly relations).
- Private gatherings” are limited to all group activities that take place for the purpose of forming friendly relations.
- – All gatherings and/or events with the purpose of forming friendly relations such as alumni gatherings, club meetings, picnics, company dinners (including lunches), workshops, retreats, savings club gatherings, housewarming parties, new year celebrations, all birthday celebrations, and online café gatherings are prohibited.
- Memorial services and other family gatherings and/or events attended by five or more collateral family members who are not immediate family members is prohibited as such a gathering falls under “private gatherings” of five or more people.
- Business meetings are exempt from this administrative order as they fall under mandatory business activities of a company. However, dining after meetings is not considered a mandatory business activity of a company and therefore, dining with five or more people is prohibited.
- Religious gatherings such as regular services, mass, and Buddhist services do not fall under private gatherings and are exempt from the prohibited private gatherings of five or more people. However, the existing level 2.5 social distancing measures apply regarding online religious gatherings and prohibited gatherings and dining at religious facilities.
※A maximum of 20 people (personnel for video production and broadcast, participating believers, etc.), including personnel required for the video production and broadcasting of online services, are permitted on site.
- A move is not considered a “private gathering” nor does it fall under the SMG Notification (No. 2020-585), and hence, the level 2.5 social distancing measures apply.
- An office setting cannot be considered a gathering for private purposes and does not fall under this administrative order. Interviews and meetings can be held in no relation to this administrative order as long as they are held in observance with the level 2.5 social distancing regulations.
- Considering that weddings and funerals are once in a lifetime events that are difficult to cancel or delay due to a determined deadline, weddings and funerals are exempt from this prohibition.
- The matter of venue for weddings is not a determining factor for the prohibition of gatherings. Weddings can be held at venues other than wedding halls if performed in compliance with the level 2.5 social distancing regulations.
- The gathering of employees who work in a place of business do not fall under gatherings with private purposes and this administrative order does not apply.
- This administrative order applies to customers who visit the place of business in a group of five or more people as they do so with private purposes.
- The use of transportation does not fall under “private gatherings” with the purpose of forming friendly relations and hence, is not prohibited.
- However, citizens are urged to fully observe the quarantine measures such as the wearing of masks and social distancing in consideration of the amount of movement expected on public transportation means during the holiday season.
- Family relations” refer to “immediate family members” who are listed on the family relations registration card. “Family relations” can be proven with the “family relations certificate” or a copy of the “resident registration card.”
- – “Immediate family member”: Spouse or lineal blood relative* in accordance with Article 779 (Scope of Family Members) of the Civil Act
*Lineal blood relative: Immediate ancestors (parent, grandparent), immediate descendant (child, grandchild)
- (a) Daily family life or gatherings indoors and outdoors by families of “family relations” (b) or those who have the same place of residence listed on their resident residence cards are not considered “private gatherings” and are permitted.
- “Family relations” refer to “immediate family members” as listed on the family relations registration card and the “family relations certificate.” “Immediate family members”: Spouse or lineal blood relative* in accordance with Article 779 (Scope of Family Members) of the Civil Act
*Lineal blood relative: Immediate ancestor (parent, grandparent), immediate descendant (child, grandchild)
- This administrative order prohibits the provision of facilities or group activities that require five or more people to gather indoors or outdoors at the same time at the same location with the same purpose (limited to private purposes such as the formation of friendly relations) is prohibited.
- The standard for private gatherings was set to five or more people through deliberation by the SMG, Gyeonggi-do Province, and Incheon Metropolitan City to allow for the necessary and minimal gatherings during the holiday season.
- The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters also enforced the prohibition on private gatherings of five or more people, effective starting midnight or Thursday, December 24 through the meeting for “Special Measures for Reinforced Prevention of Infections During the Holiday Season” held on December 22.
- – The government urged the prohibition of private gatherings of five or more people including the prohibition of all reservations or entry at the same time by five or more people at restaurants and prohibited gatherings in “party rooms.”
- – The SMG, Gyeonggi-do Province, and Incheon Metropolitan City invoked this administrative order to maintain the consistency of the government’s countermeasures, heighten effectiveness, and minimize all “private gatherings.”
- There are no age limits for this order, and all infants and children are considered to be one individual.
- (a) Daily family life or gatherings indoors and outdoors by families of “family relations” (b) or those who have the same place of residence listed on their resident residence cards are not considered “private gatherings” and are permitted.
- – “Family relations” refers to immediate family members listed under the family relations registration card
- Such activities are prohibited if the indoor or outdoor gatherings for soccer clubs, hiking, and other indoor or outdoor activities constitute as private gatherings.
- This order limits group activities that take place indoors and outdoors from the moment of meeting to parting at the same location with the same purpose (limited to private purposes for the forming of friendly relations) by five or more people at the same time period.
- Hence, even if six people gathered at a golf course to play in two separate teams, the meeting itself falls under an action of prohibited gatherings.
- A server of a restaurant is not considered to be a part of a private gathering with customers and therefore, is not included in the number of people of a private gathering.
- The order will be effective starting at midnight on Wednesday, December 23 in consideration of the criticality of the situation and need for prompt application.
- The order will be effective for approximately two weeks until Sunday, January 3, 2021 in consideration of the Christmas and New Year’s season.
- This regulation does not apply to facilities but to behavior, and multi-purpose facilities that are currently in operation may continue to be in operation at the 2.5 social distancing level. However, the “prohibited private gatherings of five or more people” will continue to be applied to indoor gatherings.
- The “Special Measures for Reinforced Prevention of Infections During the Holiday Season” announced by the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters on December 22 regarding reinforced measures that “prohibit private gatherings of five or more people” at restaurants, party rooms, movie theaters, performance venues, department stores, large markets, winter sports facilities, lodging facilities, and tourist attractions, that took effect starting midnight of Thursday, December 24 is not only applicable to the listed facilities and locations but to all indoor and outdoor locations.
- – (Restaurants) Prohibited gatherings of five or more people, reservations and entry of groups of five or more people at restaurants
- – (Party rooms, winter sports facilities) Gatherings prohibited
- – (Movie theaters) Application of national level 2.5 social distancing measures (movie theaters: all operations to cease after 9:00 p.m., spaced seating/performance venues: spaced seating)
- – (Department stores, large markets) Temperature checks, no samples, tastings, or product testing, no events to attract customers, no use of rest area
- – (Lodging facilities) Limited reservations to 50% of guestrooms, no accommodations exceeding the fixed number of guestrooms
- – (Tourist attractions) Maximum closure of main tourist attractions for sunrise viewing and national parks
- The “administrative order prohibiting private gatherings” of five or more people is not a regulation that applies to multi-purpose facilities but one that prohibits the “private gatherings” of five or more people of alumni gatherings, club meetings, picnics, company dinners, and others that aim to form friendly relations.
- In the case that a group of people sit at two separate tables at the same restaurant, the gathering is in violation of the order if it constitutes as a “private gathering.”
- We ask that the citizens cooperate with the prohibited gatherings, reservations, and entry at the same time by five or more people at “restaurants” as announced through the “Special Measures for Reinforced Prevention of Infections During the Holiday Season” by the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters on December 22.
- – As all gatherings of five or more people have been prohibited at all “restaurants” starting midnight of Thursday, December 24, we request the cooperation of facility managers and administrators to confirm with customers about the matter of “private gatherings” and observe the quarantine measures.
- The “administrative order prohibiting private gatherings” of five or more people is not a regulation that applies to multi-purpose facilities but one that prohibits the “private gatherings” of five or more people of alumni gatherings, club meetings, picnics, company dinners, and others that aim to form friendly relations.
- The operation of facilities like department stores, performance venues, and exhibition halls will continue to remain in operation under the level 2.5 social distancing measures.
- Reservations for five or more people at facilities such as movie theaters, exhibition halls and lodging businesses like hotels may be limited according to the purpose of facility use.
- In addition to the prohibition on private gatherings that was made effective starting midnight of Wednesday, December 23, the “Special Measures for Reinforced Prevention of Infections During the Holiday Season” announced by the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters on December 22 reinforced the quarantine measures for lodging facilities that took effect starting midnight of Thursday, December 24.
- – (Lodging facilities) Limited reservations to 50% of guestrooms, no accommodations exceeding the fixed number of guestrooms
- Gatherings of five or more people for official business, mandatory business activities of companies, and unavoidable business trips or gatherings of five or more people of family relations* are permitted. However, facility reservations of five or more people for private gatherings or parties is prohibited.
*Immediate family members as listed on the family relations registration card
- This order limits private gatherings aimed at forming friendly relations and as private educational institutions do not constitute as gatherings for forming friendly relations, the administrative order prohibiting gatherings of five or more people does not apply.
- However, the prohibited gatherings of private educational institutions (including training schools) will remain enforced in accordance with the level 2.5 social distancing measures (Dec. 8 – Dec. 28) in the Metropolitan area. (Training for college entrance exams will be permitted in consideration of exam schedules for 2021 college admissions.)
- Regarding party rooms, the “Special Measures for Reinforced Prevention of Infections During the Holiday Season” announced by the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters will remain in effect from midnight of December 24 to 12:00 a.m. of January 3, 2020
- In accordance with the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act, the business owner (manager, administrator) can be fined with up to KRW 3 million, up to KRW 3 million in penalty fees, and/or have the facility closed or shut down (after Dec. 30, 2020). The facility user can be fined with up to KRW 3 million or up to KRW 100,000 in penalty fees. Both the fine and penalty fee can be levied on the applicable persons.
- In the case that a confirmed case of COVID-19 resulted from violation of the administrative order, the person(s) concerned may be charged with the damage costs regarding testing and treatment of the infection.
- In accordance with the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act (Article 80 (7), Article 83 and Article 49 (3)), the business owner may be fined with up to KRW 3 million, up to KRW 3 million in penalty fees, and/or have the facility closed or shut down. In the case that a confirmed case of COVID-19 resulted from violation of the administrative order, the person(s) concerned may be charged with the damage costs regarding testing and treatment of the infection in accordance with the Civil Act.
- In the case that the violation of the preventive measures, such as the prohibition on private gatherings of five or more people, is confirmed through the outbreak of a confirmed COVID-19 case or public health surveillance, the concerned parties may be charged (with a fine of up to KRW 3 million), levied with a penalty fee, prohibited from gathering, and charged with costs related to testing and treatment in accordance with the penal regulations.
- The SMG is presently conducting special inspections during the holiday season through civil reports and the special judicial police. The SMG will make the effort to minimize private gatherings through on-site instructions and administrative guidance.
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