SEOUL – South Korea eased some of its social distancing rules for businesses on Monday, but kept limits on private gatherings as authorities prepared to unveil plans for the rollout of the first coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines this month.
The country is planning to start its vaccination program on Feb. 26. Healthcare workers and older residents will be among the first to be vaccinated.
A 9 p.m. curfew for restaurants and cafes has been pushed to 10 p.m. while bars and nightclubs have been allowed to reopen, but with a 10 p.m. curfew and limited number of patrons.
Curfews have been removed for cinemas, internet cafes, “cram schools”, theme parks, large supermarkets, and hair salons.
There are no curfews on businesses outside Seoul.
Attendance limits have been eased for churches and sports events.
Private gatherings of more than four people are still banned across the country.(Reuters)
