Seoul, July 9, (dpa/GNA) – Tighter contact restrictions are to apply to the South Korean capital Seoul and the surrounding region from Monday, in light of the unabated rise in coronavirus infections.
Prime Minister Kim Boo Kyum announced on Friday that the highest level of the government’s new four-stage plan for restrictions would take effect for the greater Seoul area.
A complete lockdown is not envisaged under this plan. The order would initially apply for a period of two weeks, the premier said.
At level four, private gatherings are to be limited to a maximum of four people before 6 pm, and two people after that.
Bars and nightclubs will have to close, no spectators will be allowed into stadiums and churchgoers will only be able to watch services online. Only relatives will be allowed to attend weddings and funerals, according to the rules.
Schools are also to return to online classes from Wednesday.
According to the health authorities, 1,316 people tested positive for the coronavirus on Thursday, a fresh high for the number of new infections recorded daily in the country since the pandemic began.
Of the new cases, the majority were again in Seoul and the surrounding region.
The total number of cases climbed to more than 165,000, with the 1,000-case threshold being exceeded on Tuesday for the first time since late December.
South Korea has come through the pandemic relatively well so far. However, only about 30 per cent of the 51.3 million inhabitants have been vaccinated.
GNA