South Korea to maintain current distancing rules for another 2 weeks: PM

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum (Yonhap)

South Korea has decided to maintain the current social distancing rules for two weeks from Monday.

“Considering risk factors for quarantine, such as the stronger spread of coronavirus after the Chuseok holiday, and the two holidays starting this weekend, the government has decided to maintain the current distancing stage for the next two weeks,” Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum said Friday.

“The limit on the number of people at private gatherings will be the same as now.” 

Accordingly, the Level 4 social distancing rules in greater Seoul area and the Level 3 in other regions will remain the same.

Kim said that the limit on the number of people allowed at a private meeting (up to six) will not be changed during this period.

However, some of the standards will be adjusted for weddings and first birthday parties, which many people are complaining of, he said.

For wedding ceremonies, up to 49 people are currently allowed, and 99 people if meals are not provided. But up to 99 people dining (with at least 50 fully vaccinated) and 199 (with at least 100 fully inoculated) will be allowed if meals are not provided.

For first birthday parties, four people are allowed before 6 p.m. and two after 6 p.m. But, starting from Monday, up to 49 people will be permitted if the rest are fully vaccinated.

As of Thursday midnight, the number of new confirmed cases had increased by 2,486 in the previous 24 hours, resulting in a cumulative 313,773 people. Among them, 2,451 cases were locally transmitted.

By Shin Ji-hye(shinjh@heraldcorp.com)