South Korean restrictions come into force

Addis Ababa, August 23, 2020 (FBC) – Nationwide social distancing restrictions are now in place across South Korea as health officials warn of a rapidly worsening situation in a country that months ago seemed to have COVID-19 under tight control.

From today, there are restrictions on large gatherings such as religious services, and nightclubs, karaoke bars, internet cafes and beaches have been closed.

The measures previously only applied to the capital Seoul, but have been extended to the rest of the country because of a surge in new cases.

On Sunday, the country reported its highest single-day rise in cases since early March.

As of midnight on Saturday there were 397 new infections, the latest rise in more than a week of three-digit daily increases, according to BBC.