Additional virus prevention measures enforced as S. Korea reluctant to raise distancing level
- 3 years ago
‘홀덤펍’ 집합금지, 스키장 야간운영 중단 등 분야별 추가방역 시행... 3단계는 아직
Officials here have been mulling whether to raise social distancing restriction to maximum levels, which could possibly include bans on gatherings of more than 10 people, shutting tens of thousands of businesses deemed non-essential and requiring companies to have more employees work from home.
The government says, however, that the current situation does not require heightened curbs at this point.
Rather, it's moving to close all loopholes in the current second highest restrictions: poker pubs will now be shut, all cafes will only serve take outs and ski slopes in and out of the greater capital area will no longer be open after 9 pm.
Kim Do-yeon reports.
While the number of daily COVID-19 cases has reached the threshold for social distancing level 3, the government says tighter measures are not needed just yet.
Authorities also say that they do not see the country's medical infrastructure failing nor are the current set of virus prevention measures.
Instead, the focus is on preventing the current situation from worsening.
"Currently, our efforts actually go beyond level 2.5, and we're focusing more on other aspects such as creating more hospital beds and expanding medical infrastructure."
To maximize the current measures and to prevent loopholes being exploited, authorities have implemented a new set of restrictions.
First, poker pubs will now have to close completely.
The venues are registered and operated as regular restaurants, so, in the past, they were able to remain open until 9 PM.
This comes following a cluster of around 20 cases last week from a number of these establishments.
Second, self-serve cafes will not be able to allow customers to eat or drink inside... joining other coffee shops in being take-out and delivery only.
Because areas outside the capital region are at social distancing level 2, ski resorts were able to operate as normal.
But, as the result of a recent cluster infection in Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do Province, ski resorts outside the capital region will also have to close after 9 PM.
Meanwhile, authorities have also asked private businesses to help.
Companies are to refrain from group in-person training activities, and to shift to remote working or staggered working hours to minimize the number of employees being in one location.
In addition, the government has extended its travel advisory until January 16th.
The advisory has been in place since March and has been extended on a month-to-month basis with the global COVID-19 situation showing little sign of improving.
Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.
Officials here have been mulling whether to raise social distancing restriction to maximum levels, which could possibly include bans on gatherings of more than 10 people, shutting tens of thousands of businesses deemed non-essential and requiring companies to have more employees work from home.
The government says, however, that the current situation does not require heightened curbs at this point.
Rather, it's moving to close all loopholes in the current second highest restrictions: poker pubs will now be shut, all cafes will only serve take outs and ski slopes in and out of the greater capital area will no longer be open after 9 pm.
Kim Do-yeon reports.
While the number of daily COVID-19 cases has reached the threshold for social distancing level 3, the government says tighter measures are not needed just yet.
Authorities also say that they do not see the country's medical infrastructure failing nor are the current set of virus prevention measures.
Instead, the focus is on preventing the current situation from worsening.
"Currently, our efforts actually go beyond level 2.5, and we're focusing more on other aspects such as creating more hospital beds and expanding medical infrastructure."
To maximize the current measures and to prevent loopholes being exploited, authorities have implemented a new set of restrictions.
First, poker pubs will now have to close completely.
The venues are registered and operated as regular restaurants, so, in the past, they were able to remain open until 9 PM.
This comes following a cluster of around 20 cases last week from a number of these establishments.
Second, self-serve cafes will not be able to allow customers to eat or drink inside... joining other coffee shops in being take-out and delivery only.
Because areas outside the capital region are at social distancing level 2, ski resorts were able to operate as normal.
But, as the result of a recent cluster infection in Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do Province, ski resorts outside the capital region will also have to close after 9 PM.
Meanwhile, authorities have also asked private businesses to help.
Companies are to refrain from group in-person training activities, and to shift to remote working or staggered working hours to minimize the number of employees being in one location.
In addition, the government has extended its travel advisory until January 16th.
The advisory has been in place since March and has been extended on a month-to-month basis with the global COVID-19 situation showing little sign of improving.
Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.