Photologue @theuostimes7
Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the government of Korea conducted the social distancing policies depending on confirmed cases. There are two apparent policies these days; ‘ban on gatherings of five or more’ and ’10 o’clock business restriction.’ In social gatherings, the number of people should be no more than 4 people. Moreover, all businesses – restaurants, cafes, bars – must be closed by 10 p.m.
Although these policies are essential by the means of preventing the spread of the virus, there are loopholes in them. First, it is quite possible that people violate the ban on social gatherings of five or more people. Actually, people gather at open places such as Han river often. Because of this, the government of Korea makes people inform the police and give them some money about it.
Second, a lot of people come out of restaurants, bars, and cafes at 10 p.m. It can be the biggest problem since people cannot keep their distance. Moreover, there are smokers in that street, and that means there are people not wearing a mask.
These policies originally are conducted to ease the economic recession. However, it is hard to say that this backlash comes from the policy itself or comes from people who spend time despite the COVID-19 situation. To preserve their true purpose and make sure they have complied well, the public’s attention and their law-abiding spirit are needed in this very situation.