An incipient third wave of Covid infections is causing the authorities in South Korea to reintroduce stricter restrictions.
Saturday's figures of 330 new infections were somewhat lower than the 386 registered the day before, but it was the fifth day in a row with more than 300 cases.
”It is becoming increasingly clear that the third wave of the Covid-19 outbreak is in full swing,” says Health Minister Park Neung-Hoo.
”The situation is extremely serious.”.
The spread of the infection has been driven by several smaller outbreaks in the densely populated capital area, according to the Minister of Health.
South Korea's main tactic in fighting the pandemic has been extensive testing and contact tracing to quickly suppress incipient outbreaks without having to impose overly strict restrictions.
Therefore, it has now been decided that Seoul's bars and nightclubs must close. Furthermore, restaurants must close their services by 9 p.m., while restrictions are also being introduced for fitness facilities and similar businesses. In addition, the number of visitors at religious meetings and sporting events is being limited.
