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Overall, South Korea’s Bars, Restaurants and Stores Remained Open

People take pictures and videos as they stay overnight on the rooftop of the Lotte World Tower as a way to safely social distance while camping in an urban setting on August 07, 2020 in Seoul, South Korea.
People take pictures and videos as they stay overnight on the rooftop of the Lotte World Tower as a way to safely social distance while camping in an urban setting on August 07, 2020 in Seoul, South Korea. Photo: Chung Sung-Jun (Getty Images)

This meant that while people in other countries stayed inside and were advised not to leave their homes unless absolutely necessary, South Korea’s 51 million people were allowed to go out to bars, restaurants and stores. The plan has ultimately spared the country’s economy from the effects felt by other wealthy countries during the pandemic, many of which saw their economies plummet when they imposed lockdowns.