South Korea has reintroduced several social-distancing measures after the nation’s coronavirus cases increased by three figures for the 10th following day.
The nation closed beaches and churches and banned fans of baseball games after the country’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 397 new cases of the virus Sunday. A new peak in the virus began in the Seoul region before spreading to most of South Korea’s other major cities and towns, The Associated Press reported.
KCDC director Jeong Eun-kyeong said the daily increases could climb in the coming days.
“We do not see the current state as the peak … we believe that infections could continue to grow,” she said during a briefing, the AP reported. “Patients are increasing not only in the metropolitan region of Seoul, but also in the 17 (large) cities and provinces throughout the country, pushing us to the brink of a massive rural outbreak.”
Officials had long opposed re-imposing lockdown measures for fear of damaging the national economy. They eventually departed on Sunday, and hosted indoor gatherings of more than 50 people and bar buffet restaurants, nightclubs and karaoke venues. Seoul officials will also require masks in indoor and outdoor areas. The country has been obliging masks on public transport since May, but enforcement has proved a challenge.
Korean officials could also increase the distance requirements to “Level 3”, under which schools would be closed and meetings of more than 10 people would be banned. Professional sports would also be completely shut down and officials would strongly recommend that private companies tell employees they need to work from home, according to the AP.
“An increase to ‘level 3’ means practically stopping all daily activities in addition to essential social and economic activities, and that would bring painful results for all our people and the economy as a whole,” said Senior Health Ministry official Yoon Taeho during a separate briefing.
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