SEOUL, Oct. 1 (BNA) South Korea extended social distancing restrictions to combat the coronavirus pandemic Friday by two weeks, providing more incentives for people to get vaccinated while battling thousands of new cases every day, particularly in the capital.
The rapid recovery in the greater Seoul area prompted authorities to extend distance restrictions until October 17, including a ban in the area for eating outside after 10 p.m. and gatherings of more than two people after 6 p.m., Reuters reported.
The country recorded 2,486 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), with the daily number exceeding 3,000 for the first time last week. .
The KDCA said the daily average exceeded 2,635 over the past week – an all-time high and easily more than double the level in the previous month.
The capital, Seoul, and neighboring regions remain the hot spot, reporting nearly 2,000 cases each day over the past week, an increase of about 42% in just one week.
He added that the next two weeks represent an important period as the government works to renew its anti-virus policy to facilitate a phased return to normal activities from November.
Among the new incentives that have been introduced to encourage people to get vaccinated, the deputy minister said wedding ceremonies can be held with up to 199 people if 150 of them are fully vaccinated.
About 77% of South Korea’s 52 million population had received a single injection of the vaccine as of Thursday, with about 50% fully vaccinated, as the country rapidly boosted vaccination despite a shaky start.
The government aims to vaccinate 80% of all adults by the end of October, and is considering introducing a “vaccine permit” to allow those who have been fully vaccinated to use public facilities and travel more freely.
insult