SEOUL: South Korea on Tuesday (Dec 22) moved to close down all ski resorts and winter travelers spots in a bid to stop COVID-19 from spreading as a 3rd wave of the pandemic proves a lot tougher to contain in the densely populated area of the capital city.
From Dec 24 to Jan 3, the government will shut ski services and travelers attractions, popular throughout the year-end season, mentioned Prime Minister Chung Sye-Kyun, talking during a televised briefing.
Gatherings of more than 4 folks will not be permitted, he mentioned, whereas tighter anti-virus curbs shall be imposed on restaurants to tamp down infections.
The announcement comes after Seoul and surrounding areas banned gatherings of more than 4 people over the Christmas and New Yr holidays with the nation recording its highest each day death toll from the coronavirus on Monday.
South Korea reported 869 new coronavirus cases as of Monday midnight, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) mentioned on Tuesday, down from each day file of 1,097 reported over the weekend.
The rash of recent cases has shaken a country that has for months been held up as a mitigation success story. The new circumstances bring the nation’s tally to 51,460 infections, with 722 deaths.
“The message the government is urging the people is clear,” Chung mentioned. “We sincerely ask you to cancel all travels and gatherings and stay the home during Christmas and New Yr holidays.”
The nationwide government has thus far resisted calls to impose Phase 3 within the nation’s anti-COVID-19 plans, the toughest of all categorized social distancing rules that might essentially lock down Asia’s fourth-largest economy.
