Capital area 'Social Distancing Level 4' extended for 2 weeks... 'Gatherings of 3 people' banned after 6 PM

Effective until the 8th of next month... Jeon Hae-cheol: "Non-metropolitan areas cannot be assured either"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The government will extend the Level 4 social distancing measures in the Seoul metropolitan area for two more weeks to respond to the rapidly increasing trend of COVID-19 confirmed cases. The ban on private gatherings of three or more people, allowing only two people after 6 p.m., will also continue until July 8.

Jeon Hae-cheol, the 2nd Deputy Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety), stated in the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting on the 23rd, "Considering the overall situation of the 4th wave, we will extend the current Level 4 social distancing measures applied in the Seoul metropolitan area," adding, "The ban on private gatherings of three or more people after 6 p.m. will also be extended for the next two weeks."

The government decided to uniformly extend the measures initially set to be implemented until the 25th, taking into account the situation of the 4th large-scale wave. Minister Jeon explained the reason for extending the distancing measures, saying, "Today, the number of confirmed cases is expected to be in the early 1600s. During the 3rd wave, the daily number of confirmed cases was about 660, but now, experiencing the 4th wave, it is around 1410, more than twice the scale."

He also emphasized that areas outside the metropolitan area cannot be complacent. He said, "The Seoul metropolitan area, which accounts for 70% of confirmed cases, saw an increase in cases from 799 to 990 compared to before the implementation of Level 4 distancing," adding, "Non-metropolitan areas are also in a situation where they cannot be assured. To curb the widespread infection trend occurring in various daily spaces, including multi-use facilities, we have no choice but to reduce private gatherings and movement."

On the 21st, when a 'heatwave advisory' was issued in most regions nationwide, medical staff at a screening clinic set up at Dongjak-gu Public Health Center in Seoul wrapped ice packs around themselves to cool down. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

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