South Korea will extend social distancing measures, including a ban on gatherings of more than four people, for another two weeks, and health authorities cautioned residents against complacency after a decline in the number of coronavirus cases.<\/p>\n
The alert level for the greater Seoul area will be maintained at 2.5, the second highest, while the rest of the country will be kept at 2, Health and Welfare Minister Kwon Deok-cheol said at a briefing in Seoul. Current measures were due to expire Jan. 17.<\/p>\n
Restrictions will be eased conditionally for some businesses, including gyms and cafes, to limit the financial impact of the ban and to ensure the imposition of the measures is fair, the minister said. Cafes and restaurants will still be required to close at 9 p.m., and gatherings at clubs and karaoke bars remain banned.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe government plans to ease measures on other facilities that have been excluded from today\u2019s adjustment step by step after stabilizing the pandemic situation further,\u201dsaid Kwon.<\/p>\n