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South Korean Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum presides over a meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters at the Central Government Complex in Seoul on Friday. (Yonhap News)

The South Korean government has decided to extend current social distancing measures for another three weeks on Monday, including the ban on gatherings of five or more people.

South Korean Prime Minister made the announcement Friday while presiding over a meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters at the Central Government Complex in Seoul.

“The average daily caseload recently has remained in the 500 level as infection continues in everyday lives,” Kim said. “If the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases increases or the situation worsens, [the government] will immediately consider implanting additional safety measures.”

He added, “Thanks to the early rollout of COVID-19 vaccine at nursing homes and facilities, the number of patients in severe or critical condition has decreased somewhat, and there is no shortage of hospital beds right now.”

The government also plans to announce preferential policies for those who are fully vaccinated, Kim said, urging the South Korean public to get vaccinated.

“The safety and effectiveness of the AstraZeneca (AZ) COVID-19 vaccine have been proven,” Kim said, citing a recent cluster infection at a church in Goesan County, North Chungcheong Province, where the only person who didn’t contract COVID-19 was someone who received the first dose of the AZ vaccine.

Kim cited another cluster infection at a nursing home in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, where those who received the AZ vaccine didn’t contract the virus.

By Shim Wu-sam, staff reporter

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