Story at a glance
- Museums, parks and art galleries will close for two weeks starting Friday.
- Bars, clubs and other entertainment facilities are being urged to do the same.
- Businesses are being asked to reintroduce flexible working hours to employees and put other preventative measures in place.
South Korea is tightening social distancing restrictions in the metropolitan area of Seoul after health officials reported 79 new coronavirus cases Thursday, the largest daily spike of new infections in the country in nearly two months, Reuters reports.
The rise in cases prompted health officials to put measures in place in an attempt to curb the spread. Museums, parks and art galleries will close for two weeks starting Friday, and bars, clubs and other entertainment facilities are being urged to do the same. Businesses are being asked to reintroduce flexible working hours to employees and put other preventative measures in place.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CORONAVIRUS RIGHT NOW
AS STATES REOPEN, SOME SEE CORONAVIRUS CASES SPIKE
EXPERTS: 90% OF CORONAVIRUS DEATHS COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED
HERE’S WHEN IT’S SAFE FOR YOUR STATE TO REOPEN
HERE ARE THE 6 WAYS THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC COULD END
Residents of the country’s capital, Seoul, which is home to more than 9.7 million people, are being advised to avoid gathering in large groups and crowds. The restrictions are expected to remain in place until June 14.
America is changing FAST. Add Changing America to your Facebook and Twitter feeds to stay informed on the latest news and smartest insights.
The latest spike in cases largely stemmed from a cluster of infections among employees at a logistics facility run by Coupang Corp., located west of Seoul, Reuters reports. At least 82 cases have been linked to the facility, as the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) said they believe the more than 4,000 workers fell short in following social distancing and protective measures.
Health officials said they will be performing inspections of logistics facilities across the country.
Thursday marked the third straight day of rising infections in South Korea, which was praised early on in the pandemic for largely containing the first wave of infections by implementing an aggressive testing and contact tracing regimen.
The spike in infections has brought the country’s confirmed case tally to 11,344 with 269 deaths.
The rise of infections in South Korea underscores the risks associated with easing social distancing rules, as most countries have started lifting such measures in an effort to prop up their struggling economies. Health officials across the globe, including in the U.S., have warned about a resurgence of cases if social distancing restrictions are eased too quickly.
BREAKING NEWS ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
FAUCI PREDICTS ANOTHER CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK IN THE FALL WITH A ‘VERY DIFFERENT’ OUTCOME
MORE THAN 1000 TEST POSITIVE FOR CORONAVIRUS AT TYSON MEAT PLANT THE DAY IT REOPENS
TEXAS REPORTS SINGLE-DAY HIGH IN CORONAVIRUS DEATHS TWO WEEKS AFTER REOPENING
changing america copyright.
