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COVID-19 fears mounting on eve of Halloween weekend

A restaurant in Seoul's Itaewon district is decorated with Halloween pumpkins, Oct. 27. YonhapHealth authorities struggling to contain COVID-19 are on high alert ahead of this Halloween weekend, as Seoul's downtown areas are expected to be crowded with larger-than-usual numbers of people celebrating the annual Western holiday.Coronavirus-battered retailers in Seoul's popular entertainment districts, such as Itaewon and Hongdae, are looking forward to boom sales of Halloween-themed products, food, drinks and various other consumer goods, particularly because of the government's recent decision to phase out long-enforced strict antivirus restrictions from November.But there is also growing concern about a possible spread of cluster COVID-19 infections tied to hot Halloween spots, prompting authorities to ask both citizens and merchants to wear masks and observe other quarantine and distancing rules.With three days to go before Halloween, the streets of Itaewon, an international district known for foreigner-friendly restaurants, shops and bars, were still quiet but a festive atmosphere

Oct 28, 2021
COVID-19 fears mounting on eve of Halloween weekend

New virus cases hit over 2,100 as infections spike ahead of easing of virus curbs

Health workers spray disinfectant along the avenue of a popular hangout in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, ahead of Halloween festivities, Oct. 27. YonhapSouth Korea's new daily coronavirus cases surged to more than 2,100 on Thursday, as the virus spread is gaining ground amid efforts to ease the distancing rules and return to normalcy. The country added 2,111 fresh COVID-19 cases, including 2,095 local infections, raising the total caseload to 358,412, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said.It is the first time in 20 days that the daily caseload has surpassed the 2,000 mark. The daily count was 1,952 the previous day, 1,266 on Tuesday and 1,190 on Monday. The daily infection tally has moved in the quadruple digits since July 7, including the record high of 3,272 cases on Sept. 25. The death toll rose by 11 to 2,808. The fatality rate stood at 0.78 percent. The spike in infections came amid concerns that the country could see yet another virus resurgence as efforts are under way to restore daily life back to the pre-pandemic days, with the planned shift to the "living

Oct 28, 2021
New virus cases hit over 2,100 as infections spike ahead of easing of virus curbs

New virus cases soar to nearly 2,000

People wait to be monitored for possible side effects after receiving the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination center in Seoul, Oct. 25. AP-YonhapSouth Korea's new coronavirus cases soared to nearly 2,000 Wednesday, as fresh concerns emerge over people letting their guard down ahead of the start of a gradual easing of virus curbs aimed at returning to normalcy. The country added 1,952 more COVID-19 cases, including 1,930 local infections, raising the total caseload to 356,305, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). The latest count is a big jump from the previous day's 1,266 and 1,190 reported on Monday, although the daily caseload remained below 2,000 for the 19th straight day. The daily infection tally has stayed in the quadruple digits since July 7, including the record high of 3,272 cases on Sept. 25. The country added nine more deaths, raising the death toll to 2,797. The fatality rate stood at 0.79 percent. Wednesday's hike in the daily cases came amid growing concerns that people might be lowering their guard too soon with the planned shift to

Oct 27, 2021
New virus cases soar to nearly 2,000

'Living with COVID-19' plan criticized for discrimination against unvaccinated people

People wait to see if they show any abnormal reactions after receiving COVID-19 vaccine shots at a vaccination center in Seoul's Mapo District, Tuesday. YonhapBy Jun Ji-hyeFollowing the government's announcement of plans to shift to a “Living with COVID-19” phase on Nov. 1, controversy is rising over possible discrimination against unvaccinated people, as the plans included the introduction of a so-called “vaccine pass,” which would restrict their access to some multiuse facilities such as gyms. On Monday, a government-led committee, tasked with discussing measures to achieve a return to “normal life” through a gradual phasing out of coronavirus restrictions, announced that the vaccine pass policy would require people to present vaccination certificates or, if unvaccinated, negative PCR test results to enter entertainment establishments, indoor sports facilities, public baths and casinos. The government explained that the policy is aimed at supporting a return to normal life and protecting unvaccinated people, but the announcement is inviting conce

Oct 26, 2021By Jun Ji-hye
'Living with COVID-19' plan criticized for discrimination against unvaccinated people

New virus cases below 1,500 for third day amid preparations for return to normalcy

People receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination center in Seoul, Oct. 25. AP-YonhapSouth Korea's new COVID-19 cases stayed below 1,500 for the third consecutive day Tuesday, less than a week to go before the beginning of a gradual return to normal life with eased social distancing rules.The country added 1,266 more COVID-19 cases, including 1,246 local infections, raising the total caseload to 354,355, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).The latest tally inched up from 1,190 new cases reported the previous day, though it remained under 1,500 for the third straight day and below 2,000 for the 18th day in a row.The daily infection count has stayed in the quadruple digits since July 7. But the number has been on the decline, albeit fluctuating, since hitting the peak of 3,272 cases on Sept. 25.The country added 15 more deaths from COVID-19, raising the death toll to 2,788. The fatality rate stood at 0.79 percent.The agency said 40.84 million people, or 79.5 percent of the country's 52 million population, have received their first shots of COVI

Oct 26, 2021
New virus cases below 1,500 for third day amid preparations for return to normalcy

Young workers not entirely happy with 'return to normalcy'

GettyimagesbankBy Bahk Eun-jiExpectations are high that people will be soon able to enjoy “normal lives” like before the COVID-19 pandemic, as the government is preparing for a scheme to return to normalcy gradually starting next month since meeting its targeted vaccination rate. This forecast change, however, is not entirely welcomed by some people, as they will have to face an “unwanted” normalcy. For young workers, after-work dinners that often involve binge-drinking, or “hoesik” in Korean, are one such undesired past practice. Work dinners have virtually ceased since last year in compliance with social distancing rules limiting group sizes at restaurants and bars. During that time, they have instead had increased personal time in the evenings with family or for their hobbies. However, with the nation's scheduled entry into the “Living with COVID-19” scheme next month, more and more workers are making plans for year-end meetings and dinners, which is making many workers, especially younger employees, uncomfortable.Jang Ui-jin, 29, wh

Oct 25, 2021By Bahk Eun-ji
Young workers not entirely happy with 'return to normalcy'

Curfews on cafes, restaurants to be lifted on Nov. 1

A street in Myeong-dong in central Seoul is crowded with people during lunch time, Monday. The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced its draft to plan on the transition to the “Living with COVID-19” scheme, under which curfews on cafes and eateries will be lifted Nov. 1. YonhapGov't unveils draft of 'Living with COVID-19' schemeBy Lee Hyo-jin Restaurants, cafes, gyms and movie theaters will be allowed to operate without curfew starting Nov. 1 under the government's “Living with COVID-19” scheme, the government announced Monday.The Ministry of Health and Welfare unveiled its draft plan on the transition to the new plan during a discussion session on Monday, under which social distancing regulations, which had been in place since Feb. 29, 2020, will be lifted gradually in three phases starting from November.Starting Nov. 1, the government will ease the rules every six weeks. Under the scenario, the country is expected to return to normalcy by February 2022. At the first phase of the plan, limits on operation hours of facilities with relatively low risk of vir

Oct 25, 2021By Lee Hyo-jin
Curfews on cafes, restaurants to be lifted on Nov. 1

Korea to start 'Living with COVID-19' scheme on Nov. 1

gettyimagesbankSouth Korea will gradually phase out coronavirus restrictions starting next month to embrace a new scheme of returning to normal life backed by the rising rate of vaccinations, health authorities said Monday. A government-led committee announced a draft roadmap meant to get people's lives back to normal on a gradual basis.The move came as 70.1 percent of 52 million South Koreans were fully vaccinated in eight months after the country kicked off its nationwide inoculation campaign.The government will relax most of its coronavirus restrictions, such as nighttime curfews on cafes, restaurants and other multi-use facilities under the "living with COVID-19" scheme to be carried out in three phases starting on Nov. 1. Currently, cafes and restaurants in the greater Seoul area ― home to about half of the country's population of 52 million ― are allowed to operate until 10 p.m. while in the other parts of the country are allowed until midnight. Operation hours of such facilities will be completely free starting on Nov. 1, according to the authorities.Business of entertainment

Oct 25, 2021
Korea to start 'Living with COVID-19' scheme on Nov. 1

COVID-19 infection rates continue to trend downward

A woman skateboards on a shopping street amid tightened social distancing rules due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in Seoul, July 12. Reuters-YonhapSouth Korea reported 1,190 new cases Monday, continuing a sustained decline in the number of coronavirus cases as its vaccination rate reached the milestone of 70 percent over the weekend.Monday's tally, including 1,167 local infections, raised the total caseload to 353,089, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said. It is down from the 1,423 counted the previous day. New virus cases stayed below 2,000 for the 17th day in a row.The death toll came to 2,773, up seven from a day earlier.Of the locally transmitted cases, 455 were from Seoul, 401 from the surrounding Gyeonggi Province and 96 from the western port city of Incheon.Imported cases, which include South Korean nationals, came to 23.The total number of people released from quarantine after making full recoveries was 324,448, up 1,055 from the previous day. Daily virus caseloads tend to fluctuate depending on the number of coronavirus tests, which ge

Oct 25, 2021
COVID-19 infection rates continue to trend downward

Man left brain-dead after vaccination donates organs

gettyimagesbankBy Jun Ji-hyeA 57-year-old man, who was declared brain-dead after collapsing around two weeks following being inoculated with Johnson & Johnson single-dose COVID-19 vaccine, donated organs to four people. Meanwhile, his daughter called on the government to clarify the causality between her father's death and the vaccine.In a petition posted on the Cheong Wa Dae website Oct. 22, the daughter claimed that her father, who died Oct. 10, had been healthy before receiving the vaccine, though he had undergone heart valve surgery 33 years ago. According to the daughter, the man, who received the vaccine shot Sept. 17, was rushed to a hospital after collapsing Oct. 6. He was diagnosed with a cerebral infarction there and underwent emergency brain surgery, but was eventually declared brain-dead.“My father died and later donated his organs to four people. Medical workers at the hospital said that they were not sure if an autopsy could find out the exact cause of my father's death,” the daughter wrote in her petition. “What I want is not compensation, but the

Oct 25, 2021By Jun Ji-hye
Man left brain-dead after vaccination donates organs
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