South Korea implements nationwide COVID-19 pandemic measures nationwide as cases increase throughout the southern peninsula.
The government bans large gatherings, closes nightclubs and churches, closes beaches and distracts fans of professional sporting events to curb the spread of the virus, The Associated Press reported.
Public Health Minister Neung-hoo announced the new measures following a report by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention which reports 332 new cases.
The report marks the ninth straight day of three-digit cases.
“We are now in a very dangerous situation that could trigger a massive nationwide spread of COVID-19,” Park said.
While most cases were concentrated in Seoul, new infections were spreading in every major city and town.
The national COVID-19 caseload is now at 17,002, with 309 dead.
Church meetings are arguably the biggest source of the spread, but authorities in Seoul are also closing buffet restaurants, karaoke bars and cafes for computer games.
According to the AP, nearly 800 of the country’s cases were linked to a church in Seoul led by a vocal critic of South Korean President Moon Jae-in.
The measures will apply nationally from Sunday, though Park said some local governments will be given some flexibility, as companies advise closing down instead of forcing them to close.
The measures will be imposed until the government has assessed the effect of the restrictions on case numbers, said Yoon Taeho, an official official of the Ministry of Health.
He added that stricter measures could be introduced if case numbers continue to plummet.
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