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CEO & Publisher: Oh Young-jinDigital News Email: webmaster@koreatimes.co.krTel: 02-724-2114Online newspaper registration No: 서울,아52844Date of registration: 2020.02.05Masthead: The Korea TimesCopyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.

Daily virus cases stay below 4,000 for 2nd straight day amid tighter antivirus curbs

Health workers wearing protective gear prepare for public testing at a temporary COVID-19 screening clinic in Seoul, Dec. 31. AP-YonhapDaily COVID-19 infections stayed below 4,000 for the second straight day Sunday after the government extended the enforcement of its tighter social distancing measures for two more weeks to stem a surge in cases amid the spread of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus.The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) reported 3,129 new cases, including 2,993 local ones, raising the total caseload to 642,207.This marked the second straight day that daily cases fell below 4,000 following 3,833 infections reported for Saturday. The KDCA also recorded 36 more COVID-19 deaths, raising the death toll to 5,730. The number of critically ill COVID-19 patients came to 1,015, down nine from a day earlier. Critical cases have stayed above 1,000 for 14 consecutive days, with their all-time high hitting 1,151, Wednesday.Weekend infection figures are usually lower than those on weekdays in part due to less testing, but the pace of the spread of the virus appea

Jan 3, 2022
Daily virus cases stay below 4,000 for 2nd straight day amid tighter antivirus curbs
  • 2 Omicron-linked deaths reported: officials

Debate escalates over expanding vaccine pass system

A person scans the QR code of a vaccine pass app on a mobile phone to enter a large retail store in Seoul, Dec. 31, 2021. YonhapOmicron variant infections surpass 1,000 in just one monthBy Lee Hyo-jin Debate is heating up over the government's planned expansion of the coronavirus vaccine pass system to department stores and large retailers, which has prompted a strong backlash from unvaccinated individuals, who argue that their freedoms will be excessively limited if the system is implemented there.According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, beginning Jan. 10, people entering department stores, large retail and discount stores measuring 3,000 square meters or more must show either a vaccination record or a negative PCR test result.A one-week grace period will be applied until Jan. 16, after which violators will be fined.Unlike cafes and eateries where unvaccinated people are allowed to sit if they are alone, an unvaccinated individual will not be able to enter department stores or large retail stores, even if he or she goes alone. The expansion of the vaccine pass, which is curr

Jan 2, 2022By Lee Hyo-jin
Debate escalates over expanding vaccine pass system
  • New virus cases dip below 4,000, fast spread of Omicron variant in focus
  • Over 1,000 file suit against gov't over vaccine pass

COVID-19 vaccine pass will be applied with 6-month validity period this week

This Dec. 6, 2021 file photo shows a sign at a public library in Seoul notifying people that vaccine pass is required to use the facility. YonhapProof of vaccination required for access to multiuse facilities will be valid only for six months after the primary series or booster doses starting Monday, health authorities said as they seek to stem the latest upsurge in virus cases.Under the tightened measure, those who completed the primary series on July 6 last year or before will not be allowed to use those facilities starting Monday if they are not administered with a booster shot, officials said.The so-called vaccine pass is required for people to enter restaurants, cafes, theaters, cram schools and other indoor multipurpose facilities. The measure will be applied to department stores and large discount store chains Jan. 10. Unvaccinated people should present negative COVID-19 test results that were issued within 48 hours in a bid to use such facilities. The government plans to adopt the pass system for youths in March after a one-month grace period.The vaccine pass rules will be im

Jan 2, 2022
COVID-19 vaccine pass will be applied with 6-month validity period this week

New virus cases dip below 4,000, fast spread of Omicron variant in focus

This photo, taken Jan. 1, shows a COVID-19 testing site set up at a plaza in front of Seoul Station in central Seoul. YonhapSouth Korea's new coronavirus cases fell below 4,000 on Sunday as the country has implemented tighter antivirus measures to stem the spike in virus infections and the fast spread of the Omicron variant.The country added 3,833 new COVID-19 infections, including 3,683 local infections, raising the total caseload to 639,083, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).The daily figure marked a decline from 4,875 reported Friday and 4,416 on Saturday.The fall was largely attributable to less testing over the weekend. South Korea reported 69 more COVID-19 deaths, raising the total death toll to 5,694.The number of critically ill COVID-19 patients came to 1,024. Critical cases have stayed above 1,000 for the 13th consecutive day, with their all-time high hitting 1,151 on Wednesday.After daily virus cases rose to a record high of 7,848 on Dec. 15, they have slowed down to around 5,000 as the government tightened social distancing rules on Dec. 1

Jan 2, 2022
New virus cases dip below 4,000, fast spread of Omicron variant in focus
  • Debate escalates over expanding vaccine pass system

New infections below 5,000 for 2nd day, distancing rules extended for 2 more weeks

Access to a popular tourist site in the eastern coastal city of Pohang remained restricted, Dec. 31, due to fears of COVID-19 infections among possible crowds for the first sunrise of 2022. Yonhap New COVID-19 infections stayed below 5,000 for the second day in a row Friday as Korea maintained tough social distancing restrictions to rein in the fast spread of the coronavirus.The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) reported 4,416 new cases, including 4,310 local ones, raising the total caseload to 635,253. The daily figure marks a slight decline from 4,875 tallied Thursday.Sixty-two more deaths were also recorded, raising the toll to 5,625, for a fatality rate of 0.89 percent.The number of critically ill COVID-19 patients remained high at 1,049 after reaching an all-time high of 1,151, Wednesday. Critical cases have stayed above 1,000 for 12 consecutive days.Since hitting an all-time record of 7,848, Dec. 15, daily numbers have crept down to around 5,

Jan 1, 2022
New infections below 5,000 for 2nd day, distancing rules extended for 2 more weeks

Vaccine pass system for teenagers pushed back to March

A visitor scans a QR code of a vaccine pass app to enter a large discount store in Seoul, Friday. YonhapCurrent social distancing measures extended to Jan. 16By Bahk Eun-jiChildren aged 12 to 18 will be subject to the COVID-19 vaccine pass system from March 1, a month later than the government's initial plan, following protests and concerns from parents over its hasty implementation.The health and education ministries said, Friday, that the system will be applied to the age group in March when the new semester begins, for accessing multiuse facilities including private academies or “hagwon,” libraries, study cafes and PC rooms.A one-month grace period will also be applied during March, and violators won't be fined until April 1.The government initially planned to enforce the vaccine pass system for the age group from Feb. 1, as the number of daily infection cases here has spiked. But this plan faced strong criticism from children and parents for virtually forcing vaccination without full information about the possible side effects on youth. The plan was also denounced for

Dec 31, 2021By Bahk Eun-ji
Vaccine pass system for teenagers pushed back to March

New COVID-19 cases below 5,000

A man wearing protective gear sprays disinfectant as a precaution against the coronavirus at a temporary screening clinic for the coronavirus in Seoul, Dec. 29. AP-YonhapSouth Korea's new coronavirus cases fell below 5,000 for the first time in three days Friday, but the government decided to extend toughened social distancing rules for two more weeks through mid-January to try to reduce critical cases and contain the Omicron variant.The country added 4,875 new COVID-19 infections, including 4,758 local infections, raising the total caseload to 630,838, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).The daily tally represented a sharp decline from a daily record high of 7,848 on Dec. 15 but is higher than the 3,865 on Tuesday.Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum announced the extension of toughened social distancing rules until Jan. 16, saying, "We still have a lot of critically ill virus patients and deaths."On Dec. 18, the government reimposed a set of revised virus restrictions across the country, which were originally supposed to end Sunday.Under the measures, the max

Dec 31, 2021
New COVID-19 cases below 5,000
  • Gov't requires vaccine pass for large discount chains, department stores

Gov't requires vaccine pass for large discount chains, department stores

Social distancing signs on precautions against the coronavirus are displayed in Seoul, Dec. 29. AP-YonhapThe government will extend toughened social distancing rules for two more weeks through mid-January, Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum said Friday, amid efforts to bring down the number of serious coronavirus cases and contain the Omicron variant. "It is too early to think that we have overcome the crisis," Kim said during a COVID-19 response meeting in Seoul. "We still have a lot of critically ill virus patients and deaths."The government has been enforcing stricter social distancing rules since Dec. 18 following a surge in COVID-19 cases.Currently, private gatherings are capped at four people nationwide, while 9 or 10 p.m. curfews are imposed on multiuse facilities' business hours. The restrictions were originally supposed to end Sunday, but with the latest decision, they will be enforced through Jan. 16.In addition to existing curbs, the authorities decided to tighten distancing measures for large discount chains and department stores by making it mandatory for visitors to show a pro

Dec 31, 2021
Gov't requires vaccine pass for large discount chains, department stores
  • New COVID-19 cases below 5,000

Gov't to extend virus curbs amid Omicron surge

Medical staff work at an intensive care unit for COVID-19 patients at Hyemin Hospital in Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap By Lee Hyo-jin Korea is likely to extend current social distancing measures for another two weeks amid a surge in Omicron variant cases, which is expected to become the dominant strain in the coming weeks.The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters will announce today whether to extend the current measures which are set to expire on Jan. 2.On Tuesday, the country saw its biggest uptick in the number of Omicron infections. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) reported 109 new infections, the first triple-digit daily caseload since Korea identified its first cases of the variant on Dec. 1.Another 67 new cases were added on Wednesday, raising the aggregated total to 625.The military has reported its first cases of the variant among an officer at a unit in Seongnam, along with two conscripts at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek,

Dec 30, 2021By Lee Hyo-jin
Gov't to extend virus curbs amid Omicron surge
  • Vaccine pass for children likely to be delayed

Vaccine pass for children likely to be delayed

gettyimagesbankThe planned expansion of the government's COVID-19 vaccine pass system to include 12- to 18-year-olds will likely be delayed by one month to next March, government officials said Thursday.The possible delay may be formally announced by the government on Friday, together with its decision on whether to extend the current strict social distancing measures for two more weeks, the officials said.Starting on Dec. 6, South Korea expanded its vaccine pass program, requiring vaccine passes or a negative PCR test conducted with the previous 48 hours for entering 16 types of multiuse facilities, but minors aged under 18 were excluded from the measure. It was instead announced that the so-called youth vaccine pass will be enforced for teens aged 12 to 18 from Feb. 1.But amid a controversy over possible violation of students' rights to education and freedom to choose vaccination, a one-month postponement of the youth vaccine pass program is under consideration, according to officials at the Ministry of Education."The final government stance on the youth vaccine pass system is expe

Dec 30, 2021
Vaccine pass for children likely to be delayed
  • New COVID-19 cases above 5,000 for 2nd day, critical cases remain high
  • Gov't to extend virus curbs amid Omicron surge
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