수도권 방역강화조치 무기한 연장…확진자 한자릿수까지 유지

South Korea's jump in new coronavirus cases from local cluster infections has been spreading quickly in the Seoul metropolitan area,... forcing the government to extend its virus prevention guidelines, initially set to come to an end this Sunday.
This as the health minister does not see an improvement in the COVID-19 situation in the metropolitan area, compared to that of two weeks ago.
Our Jang Tae-hyun is in line to tell us more.
Tae-hyun, what is going to happen?
Health Minister Park Neung-hoo held a briefing on Friday to announce that the strengthened prevention measures in the capital area will be extended.
Take a listen.
"There is no end date to this... and it will remain until the new confirmed cases are in the single digits."
He added that the government will make every effort to stop the spread; take legal actions when businesses don't abide by the law, and increase the supply of thinner masks.
The government is advising people not to visit places like bars... and is restricting events with mass gatherings.
This move first was initiated in late May, when the government shut down public facilities like museums and parks... and advised private education institutions and bars to close until June 14th.
Such measures come as since the start of June,... 97 percent of new cases were concentrated in the Seoul metropolitan area.
Several cluster outbreaks including cases at a door-to-door sales company and an indoor table tennis gym have sparked concerns for health authorities.
The cluster infection related to a table tennis club in southwestern Seoul has also led to infections at a welfare center for senior citizens.
Since Seoul and nearby areas are densely populated, it's crucial to follow the COVID-19 prevention guidelines to stop the spread of the virus.
Back to you, Mark