The Philippine Embassy wishes to inform the Filipino Community in South Korea that due to the resurgence of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Seoul metropolitan area (Seoul, Gyeonggi Province and Incheon), the Korean govenrment decided to raise the level of social distancing measures to Level 2. The new measure will run from 17 August to 31 August 2020.

It is in this regard that the Embassy appeals for the Filipino Community;s cooperation in preventing the further spread of COVID-19 by strictly following the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) guidelines provided below:

PUBLIC GUIDANCE FOR LEVEL 2 SOCIAL DISTANCING

1. Do not go to work if feeling sick
• Call KCDC call center by dialing 1339 or contact a local public health center or screening clinic
2. Postpone or cancel non-essential outings, social gatherings, events, or travel
• Essential travel includes receiving medical care, buying necessities, or going to work
• At restaurants or cafes, order takeout rather than dining in
• Home training is recommended in place of going to gyms
• For social activities, utilize PCs or smartphones to conduct online meetings
• Use online shopping rather than shopping at physical stores
3. If going out, wear a mask and follow the infection prevention guidelines
• Do not visit crowded, confined, and close-contact places with poor ventilation
• Wear a mask indoors as well as outdoors, especially whenever 2-meter distancing cannot be maintained
• Maintain physical distance from other people (2 meters recommended; 1 meter minimum)
• No droplet-producing activities, such as shouting, singing out loud, or chanting
• No physical contact with others, such as handshakes or hugs
In addition to raising the social distancing level, indoor gatherings of 50 or more people and outdoor events of 100 or more people are also prohibited. The Korean government decided to prohibit churches in the Seoul metropolitan area from carrying out all in-person events, gatherings and activities. Churches are limited to conducting online services only.

The Embassy urges all Filipinos in South Korea to take all necessary precautions, and avoid crowds, gatherings and interactions with people exhibiting symptoms. Filipino Community organizations are likewise advised to postpone public events to help reduce the risk of contracting and spreading the virus.

The Philippine Embassy stands ready to assist any Filipino in distress through our Assistance to Nationals (ATN) hotline at 010-9263-8119. END