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South Korean Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun speaks during a COVID-19 countermeasures meeting Friday at the Central Government Complex in Seoul. (Yonhap News)

South Korean Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said Friday that the South Korean government will extend current social distancing measures for another two weeks, including the ban on gatherings of five or more people.

During a regular COVID-19 response meeting at the Central Government Complex in Seoul, the prime minister said, “The current distancing measures and the ban on gatherings of five or more people, which were set to expire today, will be extended for another two weeks.”

“The daily caseload has remained in the 300 to 400 range for the eighth consecutive week. If we let our guard down now, the number may explode,” Chung said. “I understand that the distancing measures have been wearing people out, but please understand that we have to contain the situation here and now.”

The government plans to double down on COVID-19 safety measures in the greater Seoul area and conduct inspections on public facilities to see whether they adhere to the distancing measures. The government also said that it will mass test employees at workplaces with a high concentration of migrant workers.

Chung added, “It is concerning that the third wave of infections, which started in the greater Seoul area, hasn’t faded away yet.” He went on to note, “We have to break the chain of cluster infections occurring at various public places such as workplaces, hospitals, daycares, and saunas.”

By Noh Hyun-woong, staff reporter

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