Seoul Sets Maximum Level COVID-19 Restrictions

In the capital of South Korea, Seoul, new coronavirus restrictions of the highest - fourth - level came into force, they will last for two weeks. The new requirements were announced on July 9 by the Seoul Central Headquarters for Infection Control, Hankyoreh reported.

This came amid a rise in the number of infections in the country since the end of June. On July 9, when the decision was made to tighten restrictions, the Korea Agency for Disease Control and Prevention reported a record for the number of cases in the country during the entire pandemic - 1316 new cases. Of these, about a third were then identified in Seoul - 503 people. The Ministry of Health of the Republic announced on July 7 the fourth wave of the epidemic in the country, the Korea Herald newspaper reported. The fourth level of restrictions assumes that the number of new cases of COVID-19 exceeds 1 thousand in the capital region and 2 thousand in the country.

According to the new rules, now after 18:00 in Seoul it is impossible to gather by companies of more than two people, at other times - by companies of more than four people. Family members who live together are not subject to restrictions. 30% of employees of all companies, with the exception of industrial facilities, must work remotely.

Demonstrations are also limited, only single pickets are allowed. Only relatives can participate in the wedding and funeral. Sports events are held without spectators, "multifunctional facilities" are allowed to receive visitors inside until 22:00, bars, nightclubs and other entertainment venues are closed. Cinemas and concert halls, which may operate on a regular schedule with limited capacity, are prohibited from eating food.

The fourth level of restrictions implies "rather harsh measures that can cause social and economic damage," said Son Yong-rae, a spokesman for the Ministry of Health, at a briefing on July 9, Bloomberg reported.