South Korea extends its social waiver rules by 2 weeks to Jan. 31, the health ministry said in a press release on Saturday.
A ban on gatherings of five or more people will also remain in effect until the end of January, the ministry added.
Seoul Metropolitan Area is at level 2.5, the second highest level since early December, while the rest of the country is at level 2, the third highest.
Under existing rules, dining in restaurants in Seoul and surrounding areas is prohibited after 9 PM. Spectators are also prohibited from sporting events.
These social distance measures were due to expire on Sunday. But while the number of new daily cases is declining, the Health Department said the danger of a resurgence remains.
Health Minister Kwon Deok-cheol said the government will review social distance levels once daily cases drop to 400.
South Korea’s cases: The country reported 547 local and 33 imported infections Friday, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said in a press release on Saturday. That brings South Korea’s total reported caseload to 71,820.
Another 19 patients died, bringing the total number of deaths to 1,236.
The Ministry of Health has designated the first half of February as a special quarantine period in anticipation of the increase in traffic during the Chinese New Year Festival next month.
Intercity trains are only allowed to fill 50% of the seats, while visits to nursing facilities are prohibited.