Tag: Seoul

Gatherings of 5 People or More Banned in the Greater Seoul Area

| December 22, 2020

I guess we will see if this helps to slow the spread of COVID:

A street in Myeongdong, one of the busiest shopping districts in Seoul, is nearly empty, Monday, as people stay home to avoid infection by COVID-19. Gatherings of more than four people will be banned in the greater Seoul area as a stricter social distancing measure starting Wednesday. Yonhap

Gatherings of five people or more will be banned in the greater Seoul area in an effort to curb the ongoing spread of COVID-19 which has been showing no signs of abating.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government and neighboring local governments in Gyeonggi Province and Incheon, Monday, the stricter social distancing measure will take effect from Wednesday and last until to Jan. 3, the period when many Christmas and year-end gatherings and events are expected to take place.

The ban on gatherings of more than four people is a stronger measure than restrictions that could be applied under the highest Level 3 social distancing, in which gatherings of 10 or more people are prohibited.

Korea Times

You can read more at the link.

Random Testing Finds Nearly 300 People Infected with the Coronavirus in the Seoul Area

| December 21, 2020

To me this number is more concerning than the daily case rate being over a 1,000 for five days:

People stand in line to take coronavirus tests at a temporary screening center in front of Seoul City Hall in downtown Seoul on Dec. 18, 2020. (Yonhap)

The government’s ongoing random testing, launched in the greater Seoul area at the beginning of this week, has identified nearly 300 cases of COVID-19 so far, a government agency on the coronavirus pandemic said Saturday.

According to the Central Disease Control Headquarters, an additional 116 people were diagnosed with COVID-19 at the capital area random testing centers Friday, raising the five-day total to 286.

Yonhap

You can read more at the link, but this random testing shows that the coronavirus has likely spread to far more people than what is currently believed.

Picture of the Day: Lantern Lighting Festival Listed Recognized By UNESCO

| December 18, 2020
Lantern lighting fest listed as UNESCO intangible cultural heritage
Lantern lighting fest listed as UNESCO intangible cultural heritage
This undated file photo shows a lotus lantern festival in Seoul to celebrate Buddha’s Birthday. South Korea’s Lantern Lighting Festival, or “Yeondeunghoe” in Korean, has been officially inscribed as intangible cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO, the government said on Dec. 16, 2020. The decision was made during the 15th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, taking place online. (Yonhap)

Seoul Government Orders 9PM Shutdown for Most Businesses

| December 6, 2020

Here is the latest restrictions going into place in Seoul to combat the spread of COVID-19:

This photo, taken Nov. 23, 2020, shows a notice requiring customers to sign an entry log at a movie theater in Seoul.

The Seoul city government said Friday that stores, movie theaters and multiple other facilities must close after 9 p.m. for two weeks starting this weekend to help curb the spread of the coronavirus.

Acting Seoul Mayor Seo Jeong-hyup announced the new restriction during a virtual press briefing, saying the measure will go into force Saturday amid worries over spiking cases in the capital recently. (……..)

Businesses subject to the new restriction include stores, movie theaters, internet cafes, game arcades, private academies, study halls, amusement parks, beauty salons, barber shops, large grocery stores and department stores. They can reopen at 5 a.m.

Exceptions will be made for small grocery stores and other shops that are less than 300 square meters in size and for restaurants offering takeout and delivery.

Buses and subways will run on a 30 percent reduced schedule after 9 p.m. The restriction will apply to buses starting Saturday and to subways starting Tuesday.

Yonhap

You can read more at the link.