정부 "3단계 땐 203만곳 운영금지•제한…격상없는 억제 목표"

With an average of over 9-hundred new cases this week, South Korea's daily COVID-19 caseload has surpassed the threshold to trigger Level 3 social distancing measures.
But the government remains careful about imposing stricter measures,... so not to have a detrimental effect on the economy. The goal, they say, is to bring the spread under control without raising restrictions to maximum levels.
Bae Eun-ji reports.
South Korea's daily caseload average over the past seven days was 934, reaching the threshold for Level 3 measures.
But, the country is being extremely cautious about raising the social distancing measures to the highest in the nation's five-tier scheme... due to any potential social and economic damage heightened restrictions would cause.
The government said on Friday that Level 3 measures should only be considered as a last resort.
"The spread of COVID-19 must be contained in the current social distancing measures with citizens and the government working together. We ask for everyone's help in fighting the virus so that we do not have to raise the measures to Level 3."
If the measures are heightened, more than 2-million facilities will be affected nationwide... including 910-thousand in the greater Seoul area alone.
Facilities such as wedding venues, hair salons, PC rooms, and cinemas will all be forced to close.
And stores except for those that sell essential items will be closed as well.
The government is also considering additional measures that mean that restaurants and coffee shops would only be allowed to offer take-out or delivery... with complete bans on customers dining in.
Bae Eun-ji, Arirang News.