Social Distancing Level 2.5 for the Greater Seoul Area

December 8, 2020

In light of the recent situation, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters raised the social distancing guidance level to Level 2.5 for the Seoul Metropolitan Area and Level 2 for all other areas nationwide for a 3-week period starting at 0:00 of Tuesday, December 8.

Stronger social measures for disease control will be implemented in the Seoul Metropolitan Area, including (but not limited to):
- Work-from-home, distance learning, gathering ban of private classes, and strong recommendation against visiting other regions
- Restrictions on operation of restaurants and other public facilities after 21:00, weddings and other events limited to 50 or fewer attendees, accommodation facilities not allowed to host parties
- Gathering ban of singing rooms, indoor fitness facilities, etc.
- Takeout only at cafes
- Sauna closed
- No gathering or meal hosted by religious facility or organization

All areas other than the Seoul Metropolitan Area are raised to Social Distancing Level 2, but local governments may use discretion to adjust measures as appropriate for the local situation.
- Takeout/delivery only for restaurants after 21:00
- Gathering ban on five categories of nightlife venues (clubs, night pubs, etc.)
- Singing rooms and indoor fitness facilities to stop operation after 21:00
- Mask compulsory in all indoor spaces
- Takeout/delivery only for all cafes
- 100 or fewer attendees for weddings and other events
- Limit on number of in-person student attendees for schools
- Limit on number of attendees of regular religious events

KDCA stressed the seriousness of the current situation and shared some of the current strategies being pursued or considered to improve disease control.
- For the short term, mobilizing support personnel to assist epidemiological investigation. For the long term, efforts to secure more epidemiologists.
- Rapid antigen test and saliva PCR test to improve preemptive testing in convalescent hospitals and vulnerable facilities. (First in the Seoul Metropolitan Area before considering nationwide use.)
- Rapid antigen test in psychiatric or convalescent hospitals in the Seoul Metropolitan Area
- Saliva PCR test in social welfare facilities in Seoul without a healthcare professional on site. Sample to be self-collected under supervision of facility staff and the sample will be tested at a private referral laboratory.
- Night and weekend hours of screening clinics will be expanded to improve access to tests for young people and working professionals.