South Korea extends social distancing for two weeks

Seoul: South Korea will extend social distancing restrictions imposed during its worst coronavirus spread for another two weeks, as new infections resurged last week and reversed a downward trend. The alert for the greater Seoul area, where half of the country’s population live, will be maintained at the second-highest level of 2.5 for the additional two-week period, PM Chung Sye-kyun said in a meeting on Sunday.

A ban on gatherings of more than four people will also be extended amid concerns around the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday. Current measures were due to expire Jan. 31 and the extension would take the restrictions through to Feb. 14.

Cafes and restaurants will be required to close at 9 p.m., and gatherings at clubs and karaoke bars remain banned.