S. Korea imposes social distancing level 2 on Seoul and Gyeonggi-do Province
- 4 years ago
코로나19 국내 발생 신규환자 155명...서울•경기서 사회적 거리두기 2단계로 격상
South Korea saw the highest number of newly confirmed COVID-19 cases today in 5 months, with 166 new cases.
With the virus spreading fast mainly in metropolitan areas, the government has tightened social distancing.
Our Hong Yoo starts us off.
Starting from Sunday, social distancing will be tightened in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do Province, the two metropolitan areas where most newly confirmed COVID-19 cases are concentrated.
The decision was announced by the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters on Saturday as newly confirmed cases in these two regions more than doubled in two consecutive days, bringing the total number of domestic new virus cases up to 155.
"The current status quo seems to be an early sign of a massive retransmission, and if we do not get in control of this expansion, this will dramatically increase patients, and the virus will spread nationwide. And thus, we have increased the level of social distancing up to 2 from the current level 1."
It added that the purpose of this measure is to minimize contact between people by refraining from unnecessary outdoor activities and gatherings, and the use of public facilities.
Social distancing level 2 involves avoiding gatherings of more than 50 people indoors and more than 100 outdoors.
Sports games will have to proceed without audiences, and schools in areas with a high concentration of new COVID-19 cases will be advised to have online classes.
Private companies will be recommended to suggest employees work from home or to work on flexible hours to limit the number of employees at the office.
Starting from coming Wednesday at 6pm, internet cafes will be considered "COVID-19 high-risk facilities" by the government.
Other facilities that fall into that category are night clubs, karaokes, gyms, and buffets, and disease prevention measures will be augmented for these facilities.
The measures include keeping track of people who have used the facility with a QR code system and the mandatory wearing of a mask.
Hong Yoo, Arirang News.
South Korea saw the highest number of newly confirmed COVID-19 cases today in 5 months, with 166 new cases.
With the virus spreading fast mainly in metropolitan areas, the government has tightened social distancing.
Our Hong Yoo starts us off.
Starting from Sunday, social distancing will be tightened in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do Province, the two metropolitan areas where most newly confirmed COVID-19 cases are concentrated.
The decision was announced by the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters on Saturday as newly confirmed cases in these two regions more than doubled in two consecutive days, bringing the total number of domestic new virus cases up to 155.
"The current status quo seems to be an early sign of a massive retransmission, and if we do not get in control of this expansion, this will dramatically increase patients, and the virus will spread nationwide. And thus, we have increased the level of social distancing up to 2 from the current level 1."
It added that the purpose of this measure is to minimize contact between people by refraining from unnecessary outdoor activities and gatherings, and the use of public facilities.
Social distancing level 2 involves avoiding gatherings of more than 50 people indoors and more than 100 outdoors.
Sports games will have to proceed without audiences, and schools in areas with a high concentration of new COVID-19 cases will be advised to have online classes.
Private companies will be recommended to suggest employees work from home or to work on flexible hours to limit the number of employees at the office.
Starting from coming Wednesday at 6pm, internet cafes will be considered "COVID-19 high-risk facilities" by the government.
Other facilities that fall into that category are night clubs, karaokes, gyms, and buffets, and disease prevention measures will be augmented for these facilities.
The measures include keeping track of people who have used the facility with a QR code system and the mandatory wearing of a mask.
Hong Yoo, Arirang News.