SEOUL CITY'S TIGHTENED RESTRICTIONS

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As the number of cases has surpassed 100 for five consecutive days in Seoul, the city government has decided to ban gatherings of more than 10 people and reduce the operation of public transportation. The government will also consider paying subsidies to the self-employed who sustain business losses due to the restriction.

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This church in Mapo-gu District, Seoul, was attended by a relative of a teacher from a high school in Dongdaemun-gu District where a cluster outbreak occurred recently. The church has added 42 more cases of COVID-19. The total case count related to public service academies in Noryangjin has risen to 81.

[Soundbite] PARK YOO-MI(SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT) : "The desks were located close to each other and the rooms were poorly ventilated."

Coronavirus cases related to Noryangjin have spread to ten cities and provinces. This is because the capital city is visited by people from all over the nation. The Seoul Metropolitan Government has strengthened measures for various facilities to stop the spread, calling the situation "critical." From November 24, the operation of city buses in Seoul will be reduced by 20 percent after 10 p.m. The bus running intervals will be extended by 5-10 minutes. The operation of subway trains will also be cut down by 20 percent after 10 p.m. starting on November 27. If the number of cases continues to surge, subway stations will close an hour earlier than normal. The goal is to minimize year-end gatherings and non-essential movement during late-night hours. Gatherings of more than ten people will be banned. Authorities have requested that the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions to refrain from holding a rally in downtown Seoul on November 25.

[Soundbite] SEO JUNG-HYUP(ACTING SEOUL MAYOR) : "We have enforced measures tantamount to Level 3 social distancing, because Seoul is a densely populated city with a large floating population, which can result in a chain of outbreaks."

Shower rooms at indoor gyms and sauna rooms at public bath houses will be closed, as mask-wearing at such facilities is difficult. Religious facilities are recommended to provide worship services online. Door-to-door sales are advised to finish their visits within 20 minutes, while shared spaces at private academies must operate at 50 percent capacity. The Seoul Metropolitan Government has vowed to consider providing additional subsidies to the self-employed to help them cover business losses during the pandemic.