South Korea on Sunday eased its tough social distancing policy for the next two weeks in the densely populated Seoul metropolitan area, with new daily novel coronavirus cases hovering stubbornly within triple digits.
The government has lifted a ban on onsite dining after 9 p.m. though still requires restaurants and cafes to restrict seating and record patrons’ names and contact details.
While leisure facilities such as gyms and internet cafes are also allowed to reopen, under so-called phase two restrictions, indoor gatherings are limited to 50 people and outdoor gatherings to 100, while spectators are banned from sporting events.
Health authorities said the easing would contribute toward a reopening of the economy, before returning to tougher guidelines for two weeks again from Sept. 28 during the Chuseok holiday.
“After a comprehensive review of the recent situation and expert opinion, the government intends to adjust social distancing to phase two in the Seoul area for two weeks,” Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun told a televised meeting of government officials.
Infection numbers fell steadily to the low 100s after the government imposed unprecedented social distancing curbs in late August, but surged last week as small clusters emerged.
“The number of daily infections is still not dropping to double-digits and it isn’t yet a situation where measures can be significantly relaxed, as one out of four people’s path of transmission is untraceable,” Chung said.
The Korea Center for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) reported 121 new cases of novel coronavirus infection as of midnight on Saturday, bringing total infections to 22,176, with 358 deaths.
Latest Stories
-
Union Ghana triumphs in inaugural University of Ghana Community Games
5 hours -
GPL 2024/25: Young Apostles look to upset Samartex in Samreboi
5 hours -
GPL 2024/25: Medeama aim to halt GoldStars’ unbeaten run in Western derby
6 hours -
AFCON 2025Q: Jordan, Alidu, Gideon and Fatawu ruled out of Niger’s clash
6 hours -
Developing countries need $1 trillion annually by 2030 to combat climate change, new report warns
8 hours -
NALAG elect Alfred Aseidu Adjei as new president
8 hours -
If I focused on self-promotion, my statues would be everywhere – Mahama
8 hours -
GPL 2024/25: Nsoatreman draw 1-1 against Aduana in Bono derby
9 hours -
Don’t be used for electoral misconduct, you would be dealt with – IGP warns
9 hours -
Prof Ato Duncan to launch blueprint for sustainable global peace
11 hours -
Southwest flight struck by bullet at Texas airport
11 hours -
Malcolm X’s family sues FBI, CIA and NYPD over his murder
11 hours -
BCI takes free breast cancer screening to Mampong Okuapeman
12 hours -
Measuring the Green Wealth of Nations: Natural capital and economic productivity in Africa
12 hours -
COP29 protest: Global call for plant-based treaty gains momentum
12 hours