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| A street in Myeong-dong in central Seoul is crowded with people, Dec. 19. Yonhap |
By Lee Hyo-jin
The government will decide whether to extend the current social distancing measures depending on the COVID-19 situation next week, as the country continues to see record-breaking numbers of critically ill patients.
Although the daily infection caseload has been declining under the toughened distancing restrictions which will remain in place through Jan. 2, authorities said Friday that further extension or relaxation of the distancing measures have yet to be discussed.
"The upsurge in new infections has slowed down," Lee Ki-il, a senior health official, said during a COVID-19 response briefing. "But we should watch the situation next week before making further decisions on the social distancing measures."
He added that the recent decrease in new infections is attributable to the toughened quarantine measures and the swift rollout of booster shots.
But he expressed concerns about the unrelenting number of critical cases.
According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, the country added 6,233 new infections for Thursday, a drop from 6,919 the previous day. But the number of patients in serious condition hit a record high at 1,084.
Lee urged people to refrain from unnecessary gatherings to prevent any upward spikes in infections after the year-end party season.
Under current distancing measures, up to four people are permitted at private gatherings nationwide. Entertainment venues such as clubs and bars, along with cafes, eateries, public baths and indoor gyms, should all close at 9 p.m., while theaters, concert halls and private academies can operate until 10 p.m.
Unvaccinated individuals are barred from sitting in eateries and cafes, unless they are alone or submit a negative PCR test result.
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