K-pop and culture industries bracing for setbacks with SK’s reinforced Covid-19 measures

[em-cavey.livejournal.com]

(Translated excerpts)

Due to surging Covid-19 infection rates and the first confirmed domestic cases of the Omicron variant, the South Korean Ministry of Welfare and Health has reinstated stronger social distancing and quarantine regulations. On December 2nd the government announced that starting on December 3rd, social gatherings of more than 6 people would be prohibited in Seoul, extended to 8 people in other regions of the country. Furthermore, proof of vaccination will now be necessary for entry to certain indoor facilities, including movie theaters and performance spaces. And in an effort to curb further spread of the Omicron variant, all travelers entering the country from abroad will be required to quarantine for 10 days regardless of their vaccination status. The new quarantine measures will be enforced for the next two weeks, to be reevaluated on the 16th and extended if necessary.

The reinforced measures are expected to affect the producers and consumers of the culture industries of Korea, with schedule disruptions and cancellations seeming inevitable. Ticket sales for many performances and events, such as musicals and exhibitions, have been suspended as productions and promoters work to comply with the new regulations. The quarantine regulations in particular are expected to hinder international performers coming in and out of Korea. BTS has reportedly withdrawn from performing at 2021 MAMA due to the mandatory quarantine and a concert by cellist Daniel Muller-Schott scheduled for the 4th and 5th has likewise been canceled. Many K-pop artists, such as BTS, Twice, NCT 127, Ateez, Monsta X, and Verivery, have announced performances or tours abroad in the near future and will likely have to take further quarantine and social distancing measures into account as they plan or revise their schedules.

One criticism being lobbied against the government was the suddenness of the new measures, as the announcement came only one day before the new regulations were instituted and thus left many people with little time to accordingly plan and comply. One such instance is the many Korean BTS fans who took time off work to fly to the group’s recent concert in LA and are now struggling to account for the additional ten days they are required to spend in quarantine.

Sources: 데일리안, Hankook Ilbo

Comments

[xoxkenzxox.livejournal.com]

Seriously, I'm curious. Is it that bad elsewhere?

I feel like last year and earlier this year, I heard about people constantly getting sick with COVID, some ending up in hospital (but luckily they recovered). But the past couple of months have been relatively quiet where I am. Or maybe people I know just aren't being affected.

[juhli.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the translation OP!
Nuest held their offline concert a week ago and there were government officials there to look at everything...i know many kpop fans are hoping that more offline concerts will follow...but looks like its 2 steps back again with this new variant.
Seventeen plans to do a Japan dome tour next year and Japan just closed their borders....

[em-cavey.livejournal.com]

Yeah like ngl I'd really like some of my faves to add some Seoul concert dates but case spread is higher than ever and will probably just get worse over winter. Otoh I do trust regulation of entry, mask-wearing and contact tracing to be more reliable in Korea than most other countries so I'd feel relatively safe here

Seventeen plans to do a Japan dome tour next year....
I know this isn't the point lol but damn, they're all the way up to dome status?? Good for them

[lightframes.livejournal.com]

Thanks for translating OP, I know it's hard!

[em-cavey.livejournal.com]

Aww you're sweet :)

Thankfully stuff like this isn't really that challenging though lol