SEOUL (SOUTH KOREA) – South Korea on Monday recorded the lowest number of new coronavirus cases in more than three weeks. Officials are thinking whether to extend social distancing curbs ahead of the country’s biggest holidays later this month.
Thousands of trainee doctors are all set to end their two-week strike and return to work from Tuesday.
The number of new cases has dipped steadily after reaching a peak in late August. There were 119 new cases on Sunday midnight, taking the tally to 21,296, with 336 fatalities, said the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In a bid to prevent straining the economy further, authorities have desisted from imposing total lockdown. Instead, there are curbs on coffee shops, eateries and night clubs in Seoul until Sunday and face masks are mandatory in public.
Other lighter curbs will remain until Sept. 20. But officials said that they could be extended over the Chuseok holiday, from Sept. 30 to Oct. 4.
It is one of the biggest holidays in the country and officials have warned people against visiting relatives or congregating at cemeteries.
“We urge you to refrain from visiting hometowns and relatives, if possible, this Chuseok to protect the health of you and your family,” ministry official Yoon Tae-ho said.
The curbs being considered are capping indoor gatherings to 50 and outdoors to 100 and requesting people to work staggered hours or from home.