South Korea is extending its rules of social detachment by 2 weeks until January 31, the country’s Ministry of Health said in a press release on Saturday.
The ban on meetings of five or more people will also remain in effect until the end of January, the ministry added.
The Seoul Metropolitan Area is at the social distance level 2.5, the second highest level, since the beginning of December, while the rest of the country is at level 2, the third level.
According to existing rules, dining at restaurants in and around Seoul is prohibited after 9 pm. Spectators are also prohibited at sporting events.
These social detachment measures were set to expire on Sunday. But while the number of new daily cases is decreasing, the Ministry of Health said the danger of a resurgence remains.
Health Minister Kwon Deok-cheol said the government will review levels of social disengagement as soon as daily cases drop to 400.
South Korea cases: The country reported 547 local infections and 33 imported infections on Friday, the Korean Disease Control and Prevention Agency said in a press release on Saturday. This brings the total number of reported cases from South Korea to 71,820.
Another 19 patients died, bringing the total number of deaths to 1,236.
The Ministry of Health designated the first half of February as a special quarantine period in anticipation of increased traffic during the Lunar New Year festival next month.
Intercity trains will occupy only 50% of the seats, while visits to the wards will be prohibited.