Due to an excessive number of new confirmed cases, there has been an order that made it mandatory for residents and visitors in Gyeonggi Province and Seoul to wear face masks indoors and outdoors as of August 16, 2020.

Please note that we are somewhat in a serious level of COVID-19 pandemic that the Government is asking our cooperation to follow the given guidelines for our safety and health.

Gyeonggi and Seoul residents and visitors will only be allowed to take their masks off in exceptional cases, such as while having meals.

Those who break the rule may face fines of up to 3 million won (US$2,500) for violating the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act.

The government also decided to place tougher restrictions on gatherings at religious facilities, including churches and temples.

• No face-to-face gatherings or events other than regular service/mass
• No loud singing/praying/talking during regular service/mass
• No meals
• Ensure mask wearing
• Maintain 2m distancing among facility users

In coffee shops and restaurants, it is difficult to keep the masks on while eating or drinking, and there is a high risk of droplet transmission while having a conversation.

Therefore, we ask you to follow the below guideline at the coffee shops and restaurants.

• Utilize takeout or delivery rather than dining in
• If dining in, 
• avoid rush hours
• keep mask on except while eating or drinking
• minimize duration of stay in venue

Also, twelve types of high-risk facilities such as clubs, karaoke, buffets, and PC rooms as well as indoor national and public facilities will be banned from operation.

There will be no face-to-face events, provisions of food and group eating at those facilities(The singing of hymns will be restricted and collective prayer will be banned).

Furthermore, we are sharing some of the recent major cases of church-related mass infection below.

If you have been to the below mentioned churches, please visit the nearest health center or/and call 1339 to get tested as soon as possible.

Related News Articles:

 -Gyeonggi Province makes mask-wearing mandatory: http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20200818000809
 -S. Korea Sees New COVID-19 Infections Rise to Almost 200:  https://world.kbs.co.kr/service/news_view.htm?lang=e&Seq_Code=155620

 -Gov't limits church activities in the Seoul area to non-contact worship services: https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20200818010051315?section=national/national

Once again, your safety and health is our top priority concerns, and be reminded that COVID-19 can infect anyone and in any place with confined, crowded, and close-contact environment.

Please follow the infection prevention guidelines and cancel or postpone all non-essential outings, gatherings, events, and travel.