[ad_1]
SEOUL: South Korea reported more than 200 new coronavirus cases for the third day in a row on Monday (Nov. 16), as the government considers tightening social distancing to curb persistent outbreaks in offices, medical facilities and small gatherings.
The Korea Disease Prevention and Control Agency (KDCA) recorded 223 cases as of midnight Sunday, marking the ninth consecutive day of triple-digit increases and the highest since early September.
Health authorities warned of tightening the distancing limits that were relaxed about a month ago to the lowest levels, as small cluster infections continue to sprout as the pandemic spreads around the world.
Tighter restrictions would prohibit public gatherings of 100 people or more, limit religious services and audiences at sporting events to 30% capacity, and require high-risk facilities, including karaoke clubs and bars, to widen the distance between The guests.
“We are at a critical crossroads where we may have to readjust the distancing,” Health Minister Park Neung-hoo told a meeting.
“The current situation is taking a very dangerous turn considering the increase in infections in daily life and the relentless rate of spread.”
LEE: Drones illuminate Seoul with messages of hope amid COVID-19
Of the new cases, 193 were transmitted locally and 30 imported, according to the KDCA. More than 66 percent of household infections occurred in the densely populated Seoul metropolitan area, where outbreaks continue to emerge in nursing homes, medical facilities and small businesses.
The daily count brought the country’s total infections to 28,769, with 494 deaths.
The Defense Ministry held a meeting of top brass, increased the distancing of troops and officers over the next two weeks, and reduced travel and entertainment events, after more than two dozen cases were recently linked to a military welfare support facility and an air force. Unit.
The government also designated a special anti-virus period before an annual national college entrance exam on December 3, to ensure that all students, including COVID-19 patients, can take it.
Starting Thursday, authorities will carry out stricter hygiene inspections at private academies and study cafes, while instructing that in-person classes be kept to a minimum from a week before the test.
President Moon Jae-in urged authorities and local governments on Saturday to step up oversight of security measures, a day after the revised guidelines went into effect to allow fines for people who don’t wear masks in public.
CHECK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of the coronavirus outbreak and its developments
Download our app or subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest updates on the coronavirus outbreak: https://cna.asia/telegram
