Risk of Increase in New COVID-19 Cases to 700s... Strengthening Some Quarantine Measures

Metropolitan Area, Busan, etc. Ban on Entertainment Bars, Colatec, and Hold'em Pub Operations

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Sun-mi] As COVID-19 cases surge across the Seoul metropolitan area and nationwide, concerns are growing that the number of new confirmed cases announced on the 10th will reach around 700.

According to the quarantine authorities, Seoul city, and other local governments on the 9th, from midnight to 6 p.m. that day, a total of 560 new confirmed COVID-19 cases were reported nationwide, which is 31 more than the 529 cases recorded at the same time the previous day.

Among the new confirmed cases, 65.5% were from the Seoul metropolitan area. In particular, Seoul reported 174 confirmed cases, the highest number recorded on a Friday in the past 14 weeks. Gyeonggi Province also reported 169 cases, with 52 in Busan, 36 in Gyeongnam, 23 each in Ulsan and Gyeongbuk, and 15 in Jeonbuk, showing a continuous increase in new cases across the country.

Since more than 140 new cases were added after 6 p.m. the previous day, it is expected that the number of new confirmed cases announced at midnight on the 10th will be around 700. The number of new confirmed cases has recently increased from the 500-600 range to the 700 range, indicating that the country has entered the early stage of the fourth wave.

As confirmed cases continue to emerge in academies, churches, entertainment facilities, and sports facilities, the quarantine authorities have decided to maintain the current social distancing level for three weeks until the 2nd of next month, while strengthening some quarantine measures.

In areas where social distancing level 2 is applied, such as the Seoul metropolitan area and Busan, entertainment bars, colatecs, and holdem pubs will be prohibited from operating for the next three weeks. Additionally, in level 2 areas, rest areas and tasting events will be suspended in department stores and large supermarkets of a certain size or larger.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.