South Korea to Announce Tighter Virus Curbs as Cases Rise: Yonhap
S. Korea to Announce Tighter Virus Curbs as Cases Rise: Yonhap
(Bloomberg) -- South Korea will maintain social-distancing rules in the greater Seoul area at the current level while adding restrictions to more venues, and tighten measures outside the capital region.
The government will impose stricter rules on certain facilities and activities that are deemed “dangerous,” such as public baths and gyms in the greater Seoul area, Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said at a news conference on Sunday.
The current level 2 restrictions in the Seoul metropolitan area forbid gatherings in high-risk facilities such as night clubs and karaoke bars, and prohibits restaurants from serving customers after 9 p.m. On top of level 2 measures, businesses such as saunas and gyms that involve heavy exercise, as well as those providing private music lessons will be halted.
Regions outside greater Seoul will be at a minimum level of 1.5 on the 3-level scale starting Tuesday. That will prohibit eating and dancing at high-risk facilities and prompt restaurants and theaters to enforce distancing between tables and seats.
“Our stance is to minimize the damage on people’s daily lives, while achieving effective disinfection,” said Chung. “Rather than raising restrictions as a whole, we’ve come up with necessary measures that fit the situation adequately,” he said.
“The 1.5 level will be the baseline for non-capital areas, but local governments may adjust restrictions higher based on their needs,” he added.
The announcement comes less than a week after the government imposed the level 2 restrictions amid a third wave of virus cases in South Korea. The country’s daily new infections has climbed by more than 400 for four straight days.
The government will discuss whether to add more measures nationwide if needed based on this week’s virus trends, according to a statement. An escalation to level 2.5 would also limit operation hours at facilities such as wedding halls and movie theaters. Level 3 would expand the measures to other businesses.
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