South Korea is easing some COVID rules — and talking about others.
Social distancing guidelines will remain in place for at least another two weeks — but the size of gatherings is gradually increasing.
Operating hours for restaurants and movie theaters are being extended.
And those who are vaccinated get a bit more freedom — and flexibility.
The toughest restrictions in the country remain in the greater Seoul area — which continues to see the highest case count.
In and around the capital city, groups of up to eight can gather, as long as half of them are fully vaccinated.
Another change: watching sports.
Outdoor crowds can be up to 30% of a stadium’s capacity, as long as all the fans are vaccinated.
That will make a difference for the country’s professional baseball league — which continues regular-season games through the end of the month.
Last week, South Korea established a working group to discuss ways to live with COVID over the long term.
Following a similar move by Singapore, the government plans to put more emphasis on the number of hospitalizations and deaths rather than focusing on the daily count of new cases.
The Prime Minister says the goal is to “turn COVID-19 into a controlled infectious disease and no longer a fear of the unknown.”
