| The government extended its current social distancing level for two more weeks Saturday, while easing restrictions on some businesses including cafes, gyms and other indoor facilities. 'We debated seriously between the opinion that we should quickly restore everyday life by further tightening antivirus measures and the opinion that we can no longer neglect the suffering of small businesses,' said Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun. Yonhap |
The government extended its current social distancing level for two more weeks Saturday, while easing restrictions on some businesses including cafes, gyms and other indoor facilities.
The capital area will continue to enforce Level 2.5 measures, the second highest in a five-tier system, and the rest of the country will remain under Level 2.
The ban on private gatherings of five or more people, and the restriction on business operations after 9 p.m., will also be kept intact.
Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said these measures helped curb infections in recent weeks.
"We debated seriously between the opinion that we should quickly restore everyday life by further tightening antivirus measures and the opinion that we can no longer neglect the suffering of small businesses," he said while announcing the measures during a meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters.
Indoor gyms, cram schools and karaoke establishments will be allowed to reopen on the condition that they strictly adhere to antivirus measures.
Restrictions on cafes and houses of worship will also be eased in response to criticism that they are excessive, Chung said. (Yonhap)