South Korea will come under prolonged level social distancing rules longer as not to let down guard ahead of the long Chuseok holiday that spans out from Tuesday to Sunday next week.

The government announced extension of a nationwide enforcement of level 2 in the three-tier social distancing rule until Sunday this week. The government earlier eased social distancing rules to level 2 from level 2.5 in the greater Seoul area for two weeks until Sept. 27 amid a slowdown in infection rates.

Daily infection numbers fell under 100 after peaking at over 400 in late August. On Sunday, the country reported 70 new cases, keeping the tally under 100 for two straight days and bringing the total tally to 23,045.

Under level 2 social distancing measures, head counts are restricted to under 50 indoors and under 100 outdoors.

High-risk facilities including clubs, bars, karaoke bars, singing rooms, internet cafes and buffet restaurants must stay closed.

For the Chuseok holiday on Sept. 28-Oct. 2 and the following two weeks, the government is planning to toughen up social distancing rules by discouraging migration of travelers across the country during one of Korea’s biggest holidays.

By Lee Ha-yeon

[ⓒ Pulse by Maeil Business Newspaper & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]