The capital area including Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi-do Province on July 12 raised the social distancing status to its highest Level 4 for two weeks. Under this level's rules, private gatherings of up to four people are allowed until 6 p.m. and two afterwards. (Yonhap News)
By Kim Minji
The Greater Seoul area on July 12 began enforcement of the highest social distancing status of Level 4, with private gatherings of up to four people permitted until 6 p.m. and two thereafter.
The heightened vigilance aims to stem the resurgence of the coronavirus in the capital area and will remain in effect until midnight on July 25. Depending on the daily number of infections after the two-week period, Level 4 could be extended or downgraded.
Under this level, large-scale events are prohibited and a demonstration is limited to just one person. Only relatives can attend a wedding or funeral, up to 49 per event.
Entertainment spots such as bars and nightclubs must remain closed until July 25, and multipurpose facilities like restaurants, movie theaters and indoor sports venues can operate until 10 p.m.
Schools will shift to remote learning from July 14 with no gatherings or events allowed.
The government also urged the public to refrain from going out, saying, "Under Level 4 measures, not only are government regulations like reducing private gatherings important, but also the participation and compliance of the entire society by minimizing gatherings and meetups and staying at home."
Following the pandemic's resurgence in the Seoul metropolitan area, other regions like Busan, Daejeon and Jeju Island raised their social distancing levels from 1 to 2. Jeju did so on July 12, Busan on July 10 and Daejeon on July 8.
Other regions like Daegu issued an administrative order to its residents not to visit the capital area, with those who did urged to get tested for the coronavirus.
kimmj7725@korea.kr
