South Korea to further relax social distancing rules as coronavirus outbreak comes under control

Widespread testing, intensive contact tracing and tracking apps have enabled country to limit spread of Covid-19 without imposing lengthy lockdown

South Korea will further relax social distancing rules and allow a phased reopening of businesses from 6 May because the country has largely managed to bring the coronavirus outbreak under control, the country’s prime minister, Chung Sye-kyun, has said.

Widespread testing, intensive contact-tracing and tracking apps have enabled South Korea to limit the spread of the virus rather than rely on the lengthy lockdowns seen elsewhere.

The government “will allow businesses to resume at facilities, in phases, that had remained closed up until now, and also allow gatherings and events to take place, assuming they follow disinfection guidelines,” the prime minister told a televised meeting of government officials on Sunday.

Further easing of rules means public facilities such as parks, libraries and schools could reopen in phases, although the Korea Centres for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that citizens continue to exercise some caution in everyday life.

The new guidelines from the government advise people to stay home for three to four days if they feel unwell, keep a distance of two arms’ length with others in public spaces, and wash hands frequently.

Seoul extended its social distancing policy until 5 May even as it managed to bring down the daily number of infection cases from more than 900 in late February to about 10 in the past week.

The national tally stood at 10,793 as of midnight on Saturday, with 250 deaths.

Reuters