When daily COVID-19 confirmed cases in the Seoul metropolitan area (Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon) exceeded 1,000 for three consecutive days, Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum announced on July 9, 2021 that the distancing level for the metropolitan area would be raised to Level 4, the highest tier. The measure took effect on July 12, 2021. Level 4 is called the “pandemic/stay-home” stage: it is the strongest public health measure available, asking people to avoid going out as much as possible and to leave home only when absolutely necessary.

Private Gatherings

Up to 4 people may meet privately before 6 p.m. After 6 p.m., only 2 people may meet. People who have completed their COVID-19 vaccination are not exempt from these limits.

Events and Protests

All events are prohibited outright. Protests and demonstrations are also banned, with the sole exception of solo (one-person) demonstrations.

Restrictions on Public Facilities

Most public facilities are only allowed to operate until 10 p.m. Here is what applies to key types of venues:

  • Restaurants and cafes: May operate until 10 p.m. After 10 p.m., only takeout and delivery are allowed.
  • Entertainment venues (karaoke rooms, clubs, etc.): Fully prohibited from operating (no customers allowed at all)
  • Singing practice rooms (norebang): Fully prohibited from operating
  • Tutoring academies (hagwon): May operate until 10 p.m.

Religious Activities

All religious activities must be held in a non-in-person format. In-person worship services, Buddhist ceremonies, and masses at churches, temples, cathedrals, and all other religious venues are banned. These venues must operate only through online streaming or other remote formats.

School Attendance

From July 12, all kindergartens, elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools in Gyeonggi and Incheon switched fully to remote (online) learning. Schools in Seoul did the same.

Basic Hygiene Rules

Regardless of the distancing level, everyone must follow these rules everywhere:

  • Wear a mask at all times
  • Check in at venues using a QR code or a written visitor log
  • Sanitize your hands regularly and ensure spaces are well ventilated
  • If you have symptoms, stay home and get tested

Consequences for Violations

If you are confirmed to have COVID-19 as a result of breaking distancing rules, you will not receive the living support payment (a financial support payment the government provides to people in isolation).

If a cluster infection occurs due to a rules violation, the government may also seek to recover costs from the person or venue responsible (a legal process called a right of indemnity claim, 구상권 청구).

Further Information

The measures described in this article are based on the rules in effect from July 12 to July 25, 2021. Measures may have been extended or changed after that date. For the latest information, please check the Korea Policy Briefing website or the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) COVID-19 website. If you need help in a language other than Korean, you can call the Immigration Contact Center (1345), which offers multilingual support.